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THE 



History of Boxford, 



ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, 



FROM THE EARLIEST SETTLEMENT KNOWN TO THE 
' PRESENT TIME: 



% pcrtoti of about 3Tuio f^unoreo ano Ojt'rtg 29eats. 



SIDNEY PERLEY, 

MEMBER OF THE NEW-ENGLAND HISTORIC-GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, MEMBER OF 
ESSEX INSTITUTE, ETC. 



ILLUSTRATED. 
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations." — Deut. xxxii. 7. 

3SWt38 

BOXFORD, MASS.: 
PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHOR. 

1880. 




i;u, w# 



^A.. 

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PT 




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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by 

SIDNEY PERLEY, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



Franklin Press: 

Rand, Avery, &= Coinpany, 

117 Franklin Street, 

Boston. 



PREFACE. 



(p^^r^O literary productions are so interesting to most 
n fix'!!? people as those relating to the place of their 
MjI^O na -tivity ; and, although most of the work may be 
,"'^/=^i/ mac i e U p f homely facts and local incidents, 
uninteresting to the stranger, it will be highly prized by 
him who loves the home of his birth, and who can discern 
upon its pages the part that his fathers played in the his- 
tory of the past. Perhaps this interest has been the sole 
cause of the production of this volume. The work was 
commenced in the fall of 1875, — when the author was 
seventeen years of age,* — merely to gratify a longing to 
know about the past ; but, the notes becoming voluminous, 
the idea of preparing a history presented itself, and was 
indulged to such an extent that the result is before us. 

In the preparation of this work thousands of volumes 
have been read and referred to ; much travel, inquiry 
and correspondence have been necessary ; and consid- 
erable money, and month after month of time, have been 
given it. Some estimate of the amount of work may 
be made by learning the following facts : Our own local 
public records have demanded the expenditure of much 
time upon their examination. The town records consist 
of about twenty-five volumes, generally of foolscap size, 
and containing two or three hundred pages each ; the 
records of the two parishes are contained in fifteen volumes 

* Sidney Perley was son of Humphrey and Eunice (Peabody) Perley, and 
was born in Boxford, March 6, 1S5S. 



iv PREFACE. 

of foolscap size, and aggregating more than three thousand 
pages ; the records of the two churches take up six vol- 
umes of a smaller size : these, together with the innumera- 
ble scattering private volumes and loose sheets found in 
all portions of the town, have been read and thoroughly 
conned. The records of the neighboring towns, parishes, 
and churches have been read and examined as necessity 
required. These together with the records of the probate 
registry, registry of deeds, and court records of the county 
of Essex, and those in the State Archives, comprise the 
public records which have been examined. Many town 
histories, genealogies, biographies, and other printed works 
have also been perused. 

The illustrations are all original, and have been engraved, 
at a considerable expense, expressly for this volume. 

In the compilation of this volume, our thanks are due 
to all those who have aided in any degree, by forwarding 
information or correcting errors ; to the custodians of the 
public records, for their courtesy ; and to all others who 
have expressed their interest in, and given encouragement 
to, the work. The pecuniary help which the town has 
rendered is gratefully acknowledged. 

As we present our work to the public, we would remind 
them, if they find within its pages any thing seemingly 
not just or equitable, not to judge too hastily, but to re- 
member the times in which the participants lived, and to 
make that allowance due to an imperfect age. And, while 
we derive instruction from their deeds, be they honorable 
or ignoble, let us regard them as beacon-lights, located 
along the banks of the river of life to warn us of the shoals 
and quicksands that endanger our voyage, and to show us 
where the current runs deep, and the voyager can majesti- 
cally float down the stream to the ocean of eternity. 

THE AUTHOR. 
Boxfokd, 6th of 3d mo., 1S79. 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS. 



Animals, 14, 175, 248. 
Blacksmiths, 156, 199, 275, 290, 

343- 

Boxford, its location, 9 ; territory, 
10; incorporation, 82; name, 
86 ; records, 87 ; bounds con- 
firmed, 84, in; in England, 86 ; 
trouble with Topsfield, 108 ; 
ecclesiastical connection loosed 
with Topsfield, 124, 132; letter 
to Topsfield, 146 ; a part of, set 
to Groveland, 307 ; a part of 
Ipswich set to, 307 ; town-debt, 
262 ; taxable property in, in 
1768, 200; population, 344. 

Carriage-builders, 343. 

Cemeteries. — The ancient, 88 ; 
West-Parish old, 156; Harmony, 
157; near First Church, 276; 
private in East Parish, 276 ; 
West-Parish new, 303 ; hearses 
and sextons, 251, 289. 

Church, First. — Organized, 132; 
first meeting-house built, 124; 
second, 168; third, 295; cove- 
nants, 192, 333 ; singing in, 193, 
248 ; letter to Topsfield, 146 ; 
internal trouble, 286; deacons, 
405; miscellany, 190, 248, 263. 
Pastors. — Thomas Symmes, 
130, 142 ; John Rogers, 146, 



170; Elizur Holyoke, 191, 267; 
Isaac Briggs, 273, 292; John 
Whitney, 294 ; William S. Cog- 
gin. 295, 331-333; Sereno D. 
Gammell, 334. 

Church, Second. — Organized, 164 ; 
first meeting-house built, 161, 
163; second, 244; third, 296; 
covenants, 166, 301 ; singing in, 
262; internal trouble, 178; dea- 
cons, 406; miscellany, 197, 262, 
263, 267, 273, 340 ; Foster's be- 
quest to, 296 ; Tyler's bequest 
to ? 337- Pastors. — John Cush- 
ing, 164, 196; Moses Hale, 246; 
Peter Eaton, 247, 269, 298 ; 
Calvin E. Park, 299, 301, 336; 
Charles M. Peirce, 338 ; James 
McLean, 340; Charles L. Hub- 
bard, 341. 

College graduates, list of, 39S. 

Commons and their pasturage, 
117 ; pounds, 1 18. 

Constitution, State, examined, 
248 ; Federal, ratified, 250. 

Election, colonial, 56 ; first consti- 
tutional, 250. 

Emigration, 194. 

Families, list of, in 1680, 68; in 
1 791, 256. 

Fish troubles, 199. 



VI 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS. 



George/own, settled, 44. 

Indians, 18; depredations of, 68, 
106, 124 ; deed of Boxford from 
the, 135. 

Ipswich, first settled, 16; original 
territory, 16; a part set off to 
Boxford, 307. 

Iron-smelting, 59, 277. 

Library, " Mary Ann Peabody 
Sunday-school," 335; Second 
Church Sunday-school, 342 ; 
Public, 342. 

LovewelPs, Capt., company, 150. 

Match-factory, 277. 

Middleton, incorporated, 154. 

Militia, 58, 65, 79, 106, 134, 189, 
279-285; ammunition, 179; 
powder-house, 275 ; " Boxford 
Washington Guards," 305 ; 
armory, 305. 

Military strife. — War of King 
Philip, 66 ; King William's 
War, 105; French War, 179; 
French and Indian War, 185 ; 
Revolution, 201 ; Shays' Rebel- 
lion, 252; War of 181 2, 279; 
Rebellion, 309. 

Mills, saw and grist, 139, 149, 
177, 198, 248, 289. 

" Minister's farm," 61. 

" Moral Society of Boxford and 
Topsfield, the," 301. 

Mortality, Sec, 393. 

Musical history, 342 ; brass band, 
343; "Essex Musical Associa- 
tion," 264. 

Natives, distinguished and profes- 
sional, 346. 

Negroes, 158. 

"Neutrals," the French, 182. 

"New-Lights," the, 178. 

Occupation of the people, 344. 



Parish, First, originated, 168 ; 
funds in 1792, 262; fund found- 
ed, 286 ; parsonage built, 335. 

Parish, Second, incorporated, 160; 
part of Andover annexed to, 
167; Tyler bequest, 337; par- 
sonage built, 340. 

Pauperism, 140 ; almshouse, 306 ; 
overseers of the poor, 175. 

Pegs manufactured, 339. 

Physicians. — David Wood, 147 ; 
John Andrews, 14S; Benjamin 
Foster, 253 ; William Hale, 
George W. Sawyer, Josiah Ba- 
con, 254 ; Charles P. French, 
255. 

Politics, 344. 

Post-offices, 266, 277, 303, 342. 

Prices of merchandise, labor, &c, 
in 1779, 251. 

Railroad, the, 306. 

Representatives to General Court, 

39°- 

Roads, — "Old Andover," 23; 
other, 54, 113, 133; repairing, 
152; breaking out, 153. 

Rowley, first settled, 1 7 ; original 
territory, 17. 

Rowley Village (Boxford), its ter- 
ritory, 20 ; common land laid 
out, 40, 41. 

Schools, Sec, 138, 176, 255, 291, 
308 ; academy, 286 ; high school, 
338 ; Wood fund, 259; Chadwick 
fund, 276; Foster fund, 292; 
present fund, 292. 

Senators, list of, 389. 

Settlers, early, first, 22 ; 1650- 
1665,24; 1665-1670,49; 1670- 
1685,69; 1685-1700,92; 1700- 
1725, 399; customs of, 91. 

Sh of- 111 , 1 n ufacturing, 303 . 



INDEX OF PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS. 



vn 



Stores, 156, 277, 303, 342. 

Tannery, Perley's, 155. 

Taverns, 114, 200, 265. 

" Three thousand acres," Row- 
ley's, 44. 

Topography, 10-15. 

Topsfield, settled, 47; preaching 
there, 47 ; first meeting-house, 
48, 81 ; church organized, 48 ; 
trouble with Boxford, 108 ; 
ecclesiastical connection loosed, 
124, 132; letter from Boxford, 
146. Pastors before 1725, Wil- 
liam Knight, William Perkins, 
47; Thomas Gilbert, 48, 62; 



Jeremiah Hobart, 63, 80 ; Jo- 
seph Capen, 81. 

Town-meetings, 115. 

Town officers, earliest, 68 : early, 
87,116; clerks, 371 ; selectmen, 

373- 
'■'■Villagers''' 1 ' 1 ministerial matters 

at Topsfield, 48, 61, 63, 108; at 

Andover and Bradford, 108. 
Washington, Dr. Eaton's oration 

on the death of, 265. 
Wheelwrights, 155, 343. 
Witchcraft, 1 19-123. 
" Wood-spell," the, 177. 



History of Boxford. 



CHAPTER I. 
TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 

Location. — Territory. — Soil. — Plains. — Hills. — Ponds. — 
Brooks. — Minerals. — Plants. — Animals. 



j\%^HE territory of the present town of Boxford 
/to occupies a central position in the county of 
yQ^ Essex, and a north-easterly one in the old Bay 
State. Both easterly and southerly, only seven 
and a half miles intervene between the most easterly and 
southerly points of the town and the ocean. The near- 
est part of the Atlantic coast in an easterly direction 
is Ipswich Beach, located on Ipswich Bay. The same is 
also true of Salem Harbor in a southerly direction. The 
marshes which lie along the coast are in such close proxim- 
ity, that most of the farmers in the town avail themselves 
of gathering, for fodder for cattle and other purposes, 
the salt hay which they produce. From the most north- 
western point of the town to the dividing-line between the 
States of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the distance 
is but three miles, Salem being the nearest New-Hampshire 
town. Merrimac River, on the north, flows within one 
hundred and twenty-five rods of the most north-western 
point of the town's boundaries. The southerly part of the 
town bounds, for a considerable distance, upon a smaller 

9 



IO HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

stream, known as Ipswich River. The cities of Boston, 
Salem, Lynn, Gloucester, Lowell, Lawrence, Haverhill, and 
Newburyport, in Massachusetts, and Nashua, Exeter, and 
other important places, in New Hampshire, lie less than 
twenty-five miles away. The location of the town, geo- 
graphically, is 71 ° 1' west longitude, and 42 ° 25' north 
latitude. 

Boxford occupies an area of 11,459 acres, or nearly 
eighteen square miles. Its shape, as viewed from the 
north-east, appears like a side-view of a shoe, with the toe 
pointing to the north-west. The entire length of the town 
is eight and three-fourths miles ; the greatest breadth, which 
occurs between the Middleton and Rowley boundary lines, 
is five miles. About one-tenth of the area consists of 
English mowing, one-sixteenth of meadow land, one-half 
of pasturage, one-ninth of woodland, one-fifth of land unim- 
proved, and about four hundred acres of unimprovable area, 
consisting mostly of that portion taken up by the water- 
shed. 

The surface consists of hills and valleys, with the excep- 
tion of two or three quite extensive plains. All the varied 
varieties of soil known to our New-England region, from 
the rocky, barren hillside to the rich alluvial land, are 
found here. The best farming-lands lie together in the 
valleys, separated from others of equal quality by the hills 
and ridges, on whose slopes, where they are not taken up 
by the wood-growth, the cattle graze. The soil of the plain 
land is of a poor nature ; but by assiduous cultivation, and 
application of manure, some portions are very productive. 

The plains most worthy of mention are three in number. 
The largest of these, containing about four hundred acres, 
forms the site of the East Parish village. This was known 
as " The Plain " from the earliest settlement of the town. 
The second in size is the " Old Camp Ground." This con- 
tains about three hundred acres, and is noted as the camp- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. II 

ing-ground of some regiments of the Massachusetts soldiers 
during; the Rebellion.* The third in size is that south of 
the old burial-ground in the West Parish, containing about 
two hundred and fifty acres. This plain was mentioned as 
early as 1652. 

There are numerous eminences in town, though but few 
are denominated by a name. Long and Baldf Hills are 
the only noticeable ones in the East Parish. The hills in 
the West Parish afford some grand landscape views, while 
from their summits the neighboring country can be seen 
for miles around ; the gentle-flowing Merrimac, which has 
often inspired the Muse's pen, can be traced in its mean- 
dering course for miles away. Stiles' is the only hill in the ^ 
West Parish to which the map-makers have thought fit to Jf4r 
give a name. 

The ponds in Boxford afford fine fishing and pleasant.'^ « ~«. ., 
sailing. There are several quite extensive sheets of water, | 
' whose number has been increased by the artificial forming 
of mill-ponds by flowing some of the lowlands, and the 
power thus gained utilized for manufacturing purposes. 
Of this last class Lowe's and Hayward's mill-ponds are ex- 
amples. Hovey's Pond, more recently known as Mitchell's 
Pond, $ is a beautiful sheet of water, containing thirty-six 
acres. This has its outlet through a brook into Johnson's 
Pond, § which is a large lake of about two hundred acres in 
area, situated partly in Groveland, and partly in Boxford. 

* This plain has also been used since the Rebellion for the parade and 
drill of a part of the Massachusetts militia at their annual muster. In ante- 
Revolutionary times the town militia held their annual trainings there, at 
one of which Samuel Symonds, who belonged to the Andover and Boxford 
Cavalry, fell from his horse, and was killed, July 29, 1775, at the age of 
twenty-two years : so says tradition. 

t This hill was known as Bald Hill, probably on account of its bare sum- 
mit, as early as 1670. 

t This pond has recently been stocked with fish by some gentlemen resid- 
ing in the vicinity. 

§ This was known by the same name as early as 1666. 



12 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

From this point, through a brook, the waters flow to the 
Merrimac River, and from thence to the ocean. Fowler's 
Pond * is a small sheet of about a dozen acres, and has its 
outlet through Hazzeltine Brook and Parker River. Reyner 
Pond,f of fifty-four acres, with an outlet through Pen 
Brook to Parker River, is one of the pleasantest lakes in 
the county. Stetson's Pond, known half a century ago as 
Wood Pond, contains twenty-two acres. This has its 
outlet through a brook into Four-mile Pond. It was 
mentioned as early as 1652 as Five-mile Pond. Four-mile 
Pond covers an area of forty-two acres, and has its outlet 
through Pye Brook and Ipswich River. Stevens' Pond, 
near by, contains thirteen acres, and also has its outlet by 
way of Pye Brook. This was known half a century ago by 
the name of the occupant of the residence which stood 
near by (Spofford). Stiles' Pond, at the base of Stiles' 
Hill, is a sheet of water covering an area of sixty acres, 
entirely hid from the traveller's view, with the exception of 
a single glance at its placid waters obtainable near the 
residence of the late Mr. Ephraim F. Cole. This pond has 
its outlet through Fish Brook into Ipswich River. Cedar 
Pond, known as early as 1666 as Humphrey's Pond, con- 
tains thirteen acres, and has its outlet as above. Kimball's 
Pond, the pond at the match-factory, and a pond at the 
east base of Bald Hill, known for nearly two centuries as 
Crooked Pond, are also quite extensive sheets of water. 

Hazzeltine, Pye, and Fish are the three largest brooks in 
the town. Hazzeltine Brook is the beginning of Parker 
(known two centuries ago as Falls) River. The meadow 

* Fowler's Pond, lately known as Ilovey's Pond, was called, a century 
and a half ago, Rush Pond, probably on account of the many rushes that 
grew upon the water's edge. It has also recently been called Chadwick 
Pond. 

t Reyner Pond, lately known as Perley's Pond, was called Elder's Pond 
as early as 1666. It was also called, at the same period, Baldpate Pond, 
because of its close proximity to the eminence of that name. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 13 

on its edges was laid out to the Hazzeltines of Bradford 
prior to 1666, from which fact the brook derived its name. 
Pye Brook has been called by the same name for two 
hundred and twenty-eight years. It serves to drain 
Stetson's, Four-mile, and Stevens' Ponds, and through 
Ipswich River forms their connection with the ocean. 
Fish Brook, known as early as 1652 as Fishing Brook, 
rises between Clay Pit and Woodchuck Hills in North 
Andover, and through Ipswich River flows to the ocean. 
By means of its tributaries it forms the outlet of Stiles', 
Cedar, and Crooked Ponds. 

Many specimens of the various kinds of metals, such as 
silver, lead, antimony, zinc, and iron, have been found here. 
Arsenic, sulphur, and other minerals, are found. The rock 
is calcareous gneiss and sienite. Ledges are common. 
During the mining excitement of 1875-77 several shafts 
were opened in the town at an expense of many thousands 
of dollars. The expensive work was soon abandoned for 
something more profitable, however. Mr. Daniel F. Harri- 
man, on the land of Misses Sarah P. and Lucy A. Perley, 
opened a shaft to the depth of forty-three feet, through a 
solid ledge the entire distance. A hoisting engine and 
apparatus were employed, and for several months business 
was carried on very briskly. After abandoning this place, 
he worked for a season in his pasture in the West Parish, 
and, for the purpose of ascertaining the result of his work, 
erected smelting-works near his residence, at a large ex- 
pense. Mr. Nathan K. Fowler, near his residence in the 
West Parish, opened a shaft to the depth of about fifty 
feet. He now uses it for a well. 

The flora of Boxford is rich and varied. Most of the 
families are represented. Among the curious plants are 
two species of Drosera (sun-dew), a curious plant lately 
found by actual experiment to digest animal food. The 
order Composites is, of course, largely represented. The 



14 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Epigiza repens (trailing arbutus), two species of Azalea 
(one, the beautiful white, surpassing in beauty and fra- 
grance many of our cultivated shrubs), and the Cuscuta 
Gronovii (dodder), a remarkable parasitic plant, being 
almost the only known flowering genus having no cotyle- 
dons (seed-leaves), are found. In stagnant water can be 
found the curious Utricularia cornnta (horned bladder- 
wort), order Lentibulacecz, with its leafless stems and 
fibrous roots, the latter bearing little bladders. 

The wolf and bear, which were so dangerous to our early 
settlers, have long since been forgotten. The wildcat, also 
a formidable enemy, has not been met with for a century. 
The moose, red deer, and beaver were quite numerous ; but 
they, too, have passed away. The red fox (Canis vu/pes) is 
still shot by the sportsman. The porcupine, which is now 
so scarce in our neighborhood, has recently been killed in 
town. The raccoon {Procyon lotor) and otter now and then 
appear in some sequestered places. The mink and muskrat 
are found on the margin of the streams ; the woodchuck 
and polecat ( Vivcrra mepJiitis), in the fields ; the striped, 
red, and gray squirrel, and the rabbit, in the forests. The 
flying-squirrel and the ferret are occasionally taken. The 
most mischievous of these denizens of the field and forest 
is the woodchuck, which is very prolific, and by night, as 
well as by day, destroys the tender vegetables of the farm 
and garden. Of birds, we have scores of varieties, among 
which are hawks, owls, crows, blue-jays, chickadees, larks, 
blackbirds, bobolinks, robins (Turdus migratorms), pewits, 
bluebirds, thrushes, wrens, sparrows, woodpeckers, swallows, 
humming-birds, and many others. The whippoorwill (Ca- 
primulgus vociferus) may be heard almost every evening 
during the summer season. The partridge {Tetrao um- 
be/lus), though much hunted, is still found. The ponds con- 
tain pickerel, perch, and other common varieties of fish ; 
and Boxford has enjoyed the privilege of furnishing anglers 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 15 

from the city with very good fishing. The town has 
lately passed a vote authorizing the selectmen to stock 
whatever ponds in the town they think proper with useful 
fish. 

As a whole, Boxford is a fine old farming-town ; pleasant 
to live in, healthy, and the many natural beauties of her 
landscapes, with the sweet warbling of the native songsters, 
that inhabit the glades, and the exquisite ferns in the 
spring unrolling from their woolly blankets, the cardinal- 
flowers of the late summer, the golden-rod and asters of 
the autumn, and all the lovely sisterhood of flowers which 
adorn our hills and meadows, give a continual glow of 
pleasure to the heart which loves the truly beautiful and 
the wonders of creation. • 



CHAPTER II. 
FIRST SETTLEMENT BY THE ENGLISH. 

Early neighboring Settlements. — Rowley settled. — The 
Aborigines. — Territory of Rowley Village. — Zaccheus 
Gould. — Endicott's Farm. — Abraham Redington. — "Old 
Andover Road." — Early Settlers, 1650-65. — Two thou- 
sand Acres of Land laid out in the "Plain." — "Vil- 
lage Lands" laid out. — Rowley's three thousand Acres. 
— John Spofford. 

1^52^N 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, Mass., 
Jfw r#» and commenced the first permanent settlement in 
TO |f^| New England. From this place, as a centre, new 
(3^^s^* sites were settled on the south, west, and north, 
during the immediate following years. In 1624 the Dor- 
chester Company in England was formed, and sent over 
persons to found a fishing and planting station at Cape 
Ann. In 1625 Roger Conant was chosen to superintend 
affairs there. The following year the settlement was 
broken up; and Conant removed to Salem, and, as he as- 
serts, was the first person who had a house there. Two 
years later (1628) Gov. John Endicott, with his company, 
came to Salem, and formed the first permanent settlement 
in Essex County. The second place where a settlement 
was begun was at Ipswich, in 1633, by John Winthrop, son 
of the governor. The bounds of Salem extended six 
miles into the country ; Ipswich included all that area 
north of Salem bounds, as far as the Merrimac River, and 

from the ocean west as far as the line which divides Box- 
16 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 17 

ford and North Andover. By the General Court, 4 March, 
i634-35> ^ wa s 

" Ordered that the land aboute Cochichowicke [Andover] shalbe 
reserved for an inland plantagon, & that whosoeuer will goe to 
inhabite there shall haue three years imunity from all taxes, levyes, 
publique charges & services whatsoeuer (millitary dissipline onely 
excepted)." 

A settlement at Andover had already been begun by New- 
ton people ; and under the care of Esquires John Winthrop, 
Richard Bellingham, and William Coddington, of Boston, 
the settlement prospered. 6 May, 1635, the General Court 
order as follows : 

" Wessacucon is allowed by the Court to be a plantacon, & it is 
referd to Mr Humfry, Mr Endicott, Capt Turner, & Capt Traske, or 
any three of them, to sett out the bounds of lpsw cri & Wessacucon, 
or soe much thereof as they can, & the name of the said plantacon is 
changed, & hereafter to be called Neweberry." 

The Newbury settlement was begun on the southerly side 
of the Merrimac River, in the present town of Newbury. 
The line, above ordered to be laid out, cut the town of 
Ipswich into two nearly equal parts ; and thus the divid- 
ing line remained for three years. 

Early in the winter of 1638-39 a company of emigrants, 
numbering about twenty families, with Rev. Ezekiel Rogers 
as their guide, left Yorkshire, Eng., and came to Salem, 
Mass., where they spent the winter, — it being then too 
late in the season to proceed further in their investigations. 
While in Salem their number was increased to sixty 
families. When spring opened they removed to a location 
which they had chosen half-way between the towns of Ips- 
wich and Newbury. They purchased of these two towns, 
for eight hundred pounds, an extensive tract of land now 
comprising the towns of Rowley, Boxford, Bradford, Grove- 
land, Georgetown, and parts of two or three others. The 
site of their settlement is the site of Rowley village at 



18 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the present time. This place was probably selected on 
account of its pleasantness, its nearness to a river, and the 
abundance of thatch that grew upon the river-banks, with 
which they could cover the roofs of their humble dwellings, 
and apply it to many other useful purposes in their primi- 
tive arts. Under the name of Rowley they obtained a 
town-charter, or an "Act of Incorporation," 4 Sept., 1639. 
They held their lands, and labored in common, for nearly 
five years, when they laid out to each family a house-lot, 
&c. The colony lived and throve in spite of the many dis- 
advantages that accrue to such positions, and soon became 
a prominent colonial town. Their harvests were mostly 
abundant, their log-cottages warm, and every thing appeared 
as cheerful and pleasant as could be expected. What a' 
curiosity it would be to us if we could for a half-hour turn 
the current of time back to the years of its early history, 
and quietly "drop in" upon one of these families as its 
members were seated around the open fireplace some 
winter evening ! the aged grandfather with his silver locks, 
and the boys and girls in their homespun garments — the 
founders and originators of our Union. 

The south-western portion of the town (Rowley), which 
is now known as the town of Boxford, and whose history 
forms the subject of this work, remained unsettled by the 
white man for several years. From time immemorial the 
only occupants had been of the tribe of North-American 
Indians called the Agawams, — a sub-tribe, probably, of 
the Massachusetts. The number of the Indians had been 
greatly diminished by a fatal disease three years anterior 
to the arrival of the Pilgrims, which made the settlement of 
the country easier than had it been otherwise. The Indians 
usually selected the most beautiful ponds, waterfalls, and 
valleys for their villages, and supported themselves by 
hunting, by raising a little Indian corn, a few beans and 
squashes, and by the nuts and berries which the wil- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 19 

derness spontaneously produced. Their implements were 
made of hard wood, stone or bone, or sea-shells. They 
dwelt in wigwams rudely made, and used for money wam- 
pum, which consisted of shell-beads strung upon a belt. 
When kindly treated by the English, they, for the most 
part, exhibited a friendly spirit in return. Many Indians 
resided here previous to the coming of the white man, 
evidences of which fact are often found. About 1830, 
several bodies and great numbers of arrow-heads, together 
with a stone mortar and pestle, were dug up.* Arrow- 
heads are frequently unearthed by the ploughshare. In a 
field belonging to Mr. Samuel Killam has been discovered 
a regular aboriginal workshop. Last year the plough 
'turned up a bed of arrow-heads, sinkers, pestles, and spear- 
heads, — some were perfect, others broken in the making, 
— and a great many chips from the implements. The 
stone is foreign, none said to be found nearer than the 
eastern portion of Maine. From the great quantity of 
relics in all conditions of perfection, it is reasonable to be- 
lieve that here was a manufactory of Indian supplies, and 
quite extensively carried on. Not uninteresting, though 
perhaps sad, is the thought that in this place where we 
now reside once dwelt a different race of men. Here they 
hunted, here they fished, here they had their council-fires ; 
but now, supplanted by us, they have forever passed away. 
The territory of the Agazvams comprised the original 
town of Ipswich. In 1638 their sachem, Masconnomet, 
conveyed by deed to John Winthrop, son of the governor 
of Massachusetts, all his right to the land then within 
the bounds of Ipswich, in consideration of twenty pounds. 
This chieftain who surrendered, for such a pittance, his 
princely domain, became a poor dependent on the colonists, 
and died and was buried, about 1658, upon Sagamore Hill, 
in Hamilton. In 1667, nine years later, a man was prose- 

* Essex Memorial^ p. 68. 



20 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

cuted for digging up his bones and carrying his skull on a 
pole. 

Rowley Village, as Boxford was originally termed, was 
much more extensive in its area than at the present time. 
The bounds also included a part of the present towns of 
Groveland, Georgetown, Topsfield, and Middleton. The 
line between Boxford and Bradford at the present time 
also divided " Rowley Village " from " Rowley Village by 
the Merrimac " (Bradford), in early days. From Mr. 
Elijah Stiles' the line ran across Johnson's Pond to Pen- 
tucket Pond, — now in Georgetown, — and from the pond 
the line ran in the vicinity of Pen Brook, probably to 
where Mr. T. B. Masury resides, and then following the 
present line between Boxford and Rowley, and Boxford 
and Ipswich, straight to where the towns of Boxford and 
Topsfield now meet, in front of Mrs. Isaac Hale's residence. 
Between this point and Ipswich River the line was indefi- 
nitely stated, which fact caused much trouble afterwards. 
It was intended to run, probably, straight to Ipswich River, 
passing on the east side of Lake's Hill (now in Topsfield). 
From this point Ipswich River formed the boundary for 
about four miles. Near Indian Bridge, in Middleton, the 
line left the river, and ran in a straight line in the rear 
of the present Middleton church to Pout Pond ; from which 
place the line extended in a northerly direction on the east 
side of Major-Gen. Dennison's grant, — which he sold, in 
1663, to Thomas Fuller of Woburn, — to the north-easterly 
corner of said grant, which was about half a mile south of 
Bald Hill. From this point, proceeding westward, the line 
formed the northern boundary for the grants of Dennison 
and Bellingham, and proceeding about a mile through 
" wild land " reached the present corner bounds of Boxford, 
Middleton, and North Andover. The boundary-line of An- 
dover and Boxford was nearly the same as that now exist- 
ing between Boxford and North Andover. The original 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 21 

territory of Rowley Village comprised about seventeen 
thousand acres, or twenty-six square miles. 

Capt. Patrick received a grant of three hundred acres 
from the General Court, which he sold to Mr. William Paine. 
In 1640 this was laid out on the north of Ipswich River, 
and east of Fish Brook. Paine sold this land to Zaccheus 
Gould,* an emigrant, for one hundred pounds ; and Gould 
built himself a dwelling-house upon it before Nov. 14, 1652, 
when the sale was confirmed. At a town-meeting, Feb. 
23, 1658, in Topsfield, Mr. Gould "joined himself and estate 
to Topsfield for seven years, or term of his life, or until a 
minister was settled in Rowley Village." At a meeting of 
the selectmen of Topsfield, March 10, 1661-62, he "gives 
his farm into Topsfield forever, with all the privileges and 
appurtenances thereunto belonging." This made the change 
in the line which is now seen on the map. 

Across the brook (Fish Brook) from the above grant, 
five hundred and fifty acres were laid out to Gov. Endicott 
in 1640. This included the southern portion of the present 
town of Boxford, and the farms of G. and S. Killam, T. 
Sawyer, and the late Francis Curtis. As this farm, after 
being laid out, was found to lie within the town of Rowley, 
the General Court granted Rowley as much more common 
land bounding on the river, and lying north of Salem 
bounds. This was the reason that that strip of land, which 
originally followed on the banks of Ipswich River down 
to Salem bounds, was a part of Rowley Village. 

* Zaccheus Gould was son of Richard Gould of Bovington, Eng., and 
born in 15S9. He resided at Hemel Hempsted and Great Missenden in 
England, and came to New England about 163S, and settled in Rowley Vil- 
lage, as above. He died about 1670. By his wife Phebe, who died Sept. 
20, 1663, he had the following children (all born in England) : Phebe, Mary, 
Martha, Priscilla, and John, who was the ancestor of the several Gould 
families who have resided and do reside in Boxford. The site of the old 
Gould mansion is on the south side of Lake's Hill in Topsfield, which 
homestead has continued in the ownership of the Gould family for nearly two 
centuries and a half. See Gould Genealogy, by B. A. Gould, 1S72. 



22 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

The first settler of the present town of Boxford was, 
undoubtedly, Abraham Redington. His name is first met 
with in 1645, his first child being born that year. His 
birth and parentage are unknown. He was, probably, 
brother of John Redington of Topsfield, who was born in 
1620. The residence of Mr. D. S. Gillis is situated, un- 
doubtedly, on the site of Mr. Redington's house. The 
present house was probably built by his son Thomas some 
time toward the end of the seventeenth or the beginning 
of the eighteenth century, as the house is evidently very 
ancient, although the care which has been taken of it hides 
much of its antiquated appearance. On the mantelpiece 
in one of the rooms is cut out with a jackknife the name, 
" Thomas Redington." He owned a large tract of land 
around his residence, the ancient cemetery being a part of 
his territory. On his death in 1697 the land was equally 
divided between his two sons, Thomas and Abraham, the 
dividing-line running south to Fish Brook, on the west side 
of the burial-ground. Abraham had the east, and Thomas 
the west part. By their father's will, the daughters re- 
ceived forty pounds each. Mr. Redington was the leading 
spirit of the Village, and wealthiest of the early settlers. 
When the Village became a town, his name led the rest of 
the petitioners', and he was the chosen bearer of the peti- 
tion to the General Court. He was held in much esteem, 
as the following extract from the Topsfield (where our 
early settlers attended church) town records show : " The 
Town has manifested by voat that thay doe defier Abra- 
ham Redington fen r to come and fite in y e fore feeate, 
and old Goodman Nickles in y e feckond feeate" (6 March, 
1682-83). Mr. Redington, being aged and " sick of body," 
made his will — which he signed with his mark : /IX — 
14 Oct., 1693, and which was proved 8 Nov., 1697, he 
having died on the preceding Sept. 12th. By his wife 
Margaret he had the following children: 1. Elizabeth, 2 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 23 

b. 18 Feb., 1645 ; m. Prescott. 2. Abraham, 2 b. 25 

Nov., 1647. 3- Thomas, 2 b. 25 July, 1649. 4. Sarah, 2 b. 
15 March, 1654; m., as his second wife, John Rowe of 
Gloucester, September, 1684; and died 15 Feb., 1701, hav- 
ing given birth to four children. 5. Isaac, 2 b. 27 June, 
1657; d. 4 May, 1659. 6. Benjamin, 2 b. 19 April, 1661, 
who probably died young. Abraham 2 settled in the Vil- 
lage, where he was a valuable citizen, and deacon of the 
First Church for several years. He was made a freeman 

March 22, 1689-90 ; married Martha (who died Feb. 

3, 1695) ; and died Dec. 22, 1713. Thomas 2 was made a 
freeman March 22, 1689-90; settled in the Village; and 
died Jan. 7, 1702-03. He married Mary, daughter of 
Thomas Kimball of Bradford, March 22, 1682-83, by whom 
he had five daughters and one son, Thomas,3 who married 
Hepzibah Perley, by whom he had nine children, and 
settled on his father's place. One of his sons, only, Abra- 
ham^ resided here. He married Sarah Kimball, and be- 
came the father of seven children. About 1771, the family 
removed to Waterville, Me., and helped to settle that 
locality. Abraham's 4 son Samuel 5 was for many years an 
efficient and highly-esteemed member of the Massachusetts 
and Maine legislatures. A son of Samuels was Adjutant- 
General of Maine, and mayor of the city of Augusta. His 
nephew, Judge Asa 5 Redington, was Law Reporter for 
that State. Abraham 4 was the last of the name that 
resided in Boxford. 

In 1652, for the convenience of Andover, Ipswich, and 
the other towns mentioned, the General Court ordered that 
a highway should be laid out from Ipswich to Andover, 
and from Andover to Newbury, passing over the Village 
lands. The following spring, Richard Barker of Andover, 
Thomas Hale of Newbury, James Howe of Ipswich, and 
John Pickard of Rowley, the committee appointed for the 
work, laid out the road from Andover to Ipswich, as fol- 
lows, viz. : — 



24 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

"Begininge at the south end of Andevour, contynuing it in the 
cart way neere halfe a mile vnto a hill at the foot of the hill called 
Bare Hill, as it is marked with trees, then cominge into the beaten 
way which leadeth over a playne belonginge to Rowley, so leading on 
the southwest of a pond called Fiuemile Pond, & then contynuinge 
the cartway vnto a pond, called M r Bakers Pond leauing the pond on 
the south, & so passinge ouer a little strip of meddow, & so on the 
cart way to M r Winthrops playne, & so still the cartway on the south 
side of Capt. Turners hill, & from thence the beaten way to Ipswich." 

This was the first road ever laid out in Boxford, and has 
always been known, even to the present day, as the " Old 
Andover Road." This passes the houses of Capt. Enoch 
Wood, the late Edward Batchelder, John Hale, and others, 
and passing on the north-east side of Hood's Pond, in 
Topsfield, continues its way to Ipswich. The road from 
Andover to Rowley and Newbury (mentioned in the above 
order) continues in the "Old Andover Road" within 
" half a mile of Five Mile Pond, " then " goeinge in the 
beaten way of the south side of the Bald Hills, & contynu- 
inge the beaten way untill it come to the vppermost Falls 
Riuer, then by marked trees," &c. This is the highway 
that leads from Mrs. J. E. Foster's residence, past Mr. 
Daisy's house, and over Spofford's Hill in Georgetown. 
Boxford was at this time an almost untraversed forest, 
Mr. Redington's being probably the only family that lived 
here. Communication between these several towns de- 
manded as good a road as possible ; and no doubt, even in 
its infancy, it was better than we are apt to suppose. 

From 1650 to 1665 several new families took up tracts 
of land here, and most of them were originators of an in- 
teresting and extensive posterity. The first of these was 

Robert Andrews, a native of Boxford in England. 
He emigrated to New England, and settled in Boxford 
about 1656; his family then consisting of himself and 
wife and six children. He purchased two hundred acres 
of land of John Lambert of Rowley (which sale was con- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 25 

firmed July, 1661), lying on the west side of Pye Brook, in 
the vicinity of Mr. Joseph H. Janes' residence, on which 
he erected a dwelling-house, and fenced and improved a 
portion of his purchase. He also purchased several other 
tracts of land in the Village and in Topsfield. He bought 
of Zaccheus Gould a lot of land on Fish Brook. His 
house was destroyed in some way, probably, before 1668 
(when this is called the "Seller Lot"), and he erected a 
new dwelling, — probably the old Andrews house, lately 
situated below the late Mr. Nathaniel Smith's house, on 
the same road, — which was bequeathed (in his will), with 
the homestead adjoining, to his eldest son, Thomas. Mr. 
Andrews was an extensive cultivator of the soil, having at 
the time of his death (May, 1668), twenty-five acres of corn 
planted. Among numerous other things mentioned in the 
inventory of his estate, are two muskets and a rest, which 
probably constituted his armory, a mare and colt, four 
cows, four young cattle, four steers, sheep, lambs, a calf, 
twelve bushels of malt ; and the mention made in his will 
of " the new ship-saw, and other carpenter's tools," proves 
him to have had some mechanical genius in the joiner's 
art. Mr. Andrews died May 29, 1668. His will was 
dated May 16, 1668 ; and proved, 1st of 5 mo., 1668. His 
widow Grace, whom he married about 1636, survived him, 
and continued in a single state until her death, which 
occurred Dec. 25, 1700 (?). Her will is dated Sept. 4, 
1699, and was proved Jan. 4, 1702-03. To her will she 
placed her mark : J. They were both interred in the ceme- 
tery at Topsfield, probably, as he requested to be in his 
will. Their children, a part of whom were probably born 
in England, were as follows, viz.: 1. Mary, 2 b. about 
1638 ; m. Isaac Cummings of Topsfield, Nov. 27, 1659. 
2. Hannah, 2 b. about 1642 ; m. Capt. John Peabody, one 
of the early settlers of Boxford. 3. Elizabeth, 2 b. about 
1643 ; m. Samuel Symonds, another of the early settlers of 



26 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Boxford. 4. Thomas, 2 * b. about 1645. 5. John, 2 b. 1648; 
made a freeman October, 1690 ; m. Sarah, dau. of James and 
Rebecca Dickinson of Rowley, 18 April, 1683 (or 1684), 
and had eight children ; lived in Boxford, where he was a 
trustworthy citizen.. 6. Robert, 2 b. about 165 1; probably 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Andrews residents 
of Boxford from Robert's son Thomas : — 

Thomas 2 m. 1st, Martha, widow of Obadiah Antrum of Ipswich, June 22, 

1670; m. 2d, Mary Belcher, 9 Feb., 1681 ; m. 3d, Rebecca , who d. 24 

April, 1 . Ch. : 1. Elizabeth, 3 b. 16 Jan., 167 1 ; m. William Wilson of Ips- 
wich, 19 April, 1693. 2. Martha, 3 b. 25 Dec, 1673. 3. Rebecca, 3 b. 14 April, 
1686 ; d. 21 May, 16— (169-?). 4. Lilborn, 3 b. 1 Oct., 16S8 ; d. 23 May, 16— 
5. Patience, 3 b. 29 March, 1689-90. 6. Esther, 3 b. 16 Feb., 1692-93 ; m. John 
Bixby of Boxford, 8 May, 1722. 7. Thomas, 3 b. 18 Dec, 1694 ; m. Ruth Bixby, 
1 March, 1721-22, and had eight children ; lived in Boxford. 8. Robert, 3 b. 16 
May, 16 — . 

Robert 3 m. Deborah Frye of Andover, 10 March, 1719-20. He d. 14 
April, 1751. Lived on the old homestead. Ch. : 1. James/ b. 19 March, 
1721 ; m. 1st, Ruth Wood, 18 Feb., 1746-47, who d. 7 April, 1764; m. 2d, 
Elizabeth Bryant, 16 April, 1765; had seven children; lived in Boxford. 

2. Robert, 4 b. 8 Nov., 1722 ; pub. to Lucy Bradstreet of Topsfield, 23 Jan., 1746. 

3. Naihanfh. 25 May, 1726. 4. Deborah, 4 bapt. September, 1728 ; d. 4 June, 
1 737- 5- Samuel, 4 b. 27 May, 1731 (A. Dorman, Esq., says 1724). 

Nathan 1 m. 1st, Mehitable Foster of Andover, 23 April, 1751, who d. 25 
Jan., 1760 ; m. 2d, Sarah, widow of Joseph Symonds, 6 Feb., 1764. He d. 29 
March, 1S06. Lived on the old homestead. Ch. : 1. Deborah, 5 b. 19 Oct., 
1752; m. Joshua Andrews, 11 June, 1778. 2. Nathan, 5 b. 11 Nov., 1754. 
3. Lydia, 5 b. 21 Oct., 1756. 4. Mehitable, 5 b. 23 Sept., 1759; m. Jonathan 

Knight, jun., of Middleton, -j ^ [ May, 17S2. 

A T athan 5 m. 1st, Esther Kimball, 20 May, 1783, who d. 11 Feb., 1791. He 
m. 2d, Eunice Kimball of Ipswich, (pub.) 12 Nov., 1792, who d. 28 Oct., 1845. 
He d. 17 June, 1844. Lived on the old homestead. Ch. : 1 Mehitable, 6 b. 23 
July, 1784; d. 15 Sept., 1784. 2. Robert, 6 b. 31 July, 1785. 3. Mehitable, 6 b. 
13 June, 1788; d. unm. 3 Sept., 1870. 4. Samuel, 6 b. iS Sept., 1793 > d. unm. 
9 April, 1879. 5. Esther, 6 b. 15 March, 1795; d. unm - 2 9 ° ct -> J S6S. 6. 
Daniel, 6 b. 13 April, 1797 ; m. Nancy, dau. of Moses and Anne (Mecum) 
Gould, 15 Oct., 1S44 ; no issue ; d. 26 April, 1879. 7. Dean, 6 b. 12 July, 1S00. 
8. Eunice, 6 b. 13 March, 1S03 ; m. Abraham P. Howe, 1871. 

Dean 6 m. Harriet A., dau. of Henry and Hannah (Wood) Perley, 4 April, 
183S. He d. 1 March, 1869. Ch. : 1. Emily A., 7 b. 25 July, 1845 > m - Solomon 
W., son of Edward and Mary Ann (Lowe) Howe, 16 Feb., 1S70. 2. Harriet 
E., 7 b. 12 April, 1852. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 27 

died unm. ; will dated 6 Dec., 1675. 7. Rebecca, 2 b. about 
1654; m. Samuel Marble. 8. Joseph, 2 b. 18 Sept., 1657; 
m. 1 st, Sarah Perley, 1 Feb., 1 681, who d. 15 Jan., 1693-94, 
leaving four children ; m. 2d, Mary Dickinson of Rowley, 
29 March, 1694, who d. 25 Feb., 1700 (?), leaving two infant 
daughters; resided in Boxford. 9. Sarah, 2 b. about 1658; 
m. Daniel Wood, an early settler of Boxford. 10. Ruth, 2 b. 
27 May, 1664; m. Edward, son of Edward and Elizabeth 
Phelps of Andover, March 19, 1683. Of his sons, Joseph 2 
was made a freeman March 22, 1689-90, and was the 
great-great-grandfather of John A. Andrew, the twenty-first 
governor of Massachusetts. Thomas 2 was made a freeman 
March 22, 1689-90, settled on the old homestead, and 
through him the name has been perpetuated here to the 
present time. He, and his long line of descendants, have 
been respected and honored citizens. This branch of the 
wide-spread Andrews family well represented that true 
patriotism and native strength characteristic of New-Eng- 
land principles. 

Robert Stiles, another early settler, was an emigrant 
from Yorkshire, Eng. In 1659 we mi d him owning a 
farm containing two hundred and fifty acres, with buildings 
thereon, in Rowley Village. His residence was near the 
East- Parish village. Dec. 16th of that year, he mortgages 
his farm to Thomas Wasse of Ipswich. To write his name 
was more than he was capable of doing. The next year, 
4 Oct., 1660, he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and 
Anna Frye of Andover, by whom he had the following 
children, viz. : 1. John, 2 b. 30 Jan., 1661 ; made a freeman 
October, 1690; m. Deliverance Town of Topsfield, 24 Nov., 
1684, who d. 16 May, 1700, and by whom he had several 
children ; lived in Boxford, south side of Fish Brook. 2. 
Elizabeth, 2 b. 15 March, 1662; m. John Buswell, 8 July, 
1700. 3. Sarah, 2 b. 31 Jan., 1664 ; d. 1 Feb., 1664. 4. Abi- 
gail, 2 b. 15 Feb., 1666. 5. Ebenezer, 2 b. 20 Feb., 1669; m 



28 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Dorothy Dalton, 23 July, 1701, and d. 3 June, 1746; lived 
in Andover and Middleton. 6. Sarah, 2 b. 20 Oct., 1672. 
7. Robert, 2 b. 15 Nov., 1675; m. Ruth Bridges, 10 Nov., 1699; 
resided in Boxford, and had issue. 8. Eunice. 2 9. Timothy, 2 
b. 1 Oct., 1678; m. Hannah, dau. of Ephraim and Hannah 
Foster of Andover, 5 March, 1701-02; d. 7 Dec, 1751 ; 
lived in Boxford, and had issue. 10. Samuel, 2 b. 21 May, 
1682; m. Elizabeth Cary, 2 May, 1703 ; lived in Boxford, 
and had children. Robert Stiles, sen., died 30 July, 1690; 
and the administration of his estate was granted to his 
widow Elizabeth, a month later. Descendants of this emi- 
grant have ever since continued to reside in Boxford. 

Joseph Bixby was one of the leading men in Rowley 
Village, where he was living in 1661, having removed from 
Ipswich the preceding year. He was noted in being a sol- 
dier in King Philip's War in 1676. His residence in Box- 
ford was north of the mills of S. W. Howe. He could not 
write his name, and made for his signature this character ; 
jS^ Is styled " Sergeant." He was made a freeman 22 
March, 1689-90. 15th of tenth month, 1647, he made 
a marriage agreement with the widow of Luke Heard, 
then of Salisbury, — they having lived in Ipswich, — whose 
will was probated 28th of seventh month, 1647. Heard 
left two sons, John and Edmund, both under thirteen years 
of age. He was young when his death occurred ; and his 
widow, being also in youth, married, a few weeks later, 
Joseph Bixby. Her maiden name was Sarah Wyatt. At 
the time of her marriage with Mr. Bixby her parents were 
both living, and her mother was owning land in Asington, 
County Suffolk, Eng. Joseph Bixby died, "being aged," 
19 April, 1700. His will was made 11 Nov., 1699, and 
proved 6 March, 1703-04. His widow died at the age of 
eighty-four years, 3 June, 1704 (?). Their children were : 
1. Joseph, 2 m., 29 March, 1682, Sarah, dau. of John and 
Sarah (Baker) Gould of Topsfield, and had eight children. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 29 

2. Sarah, 2 d. 18 Jan., 1657. 3. Nathaniel, 2 d. 11 July, 

1658. 4. Mary, 2 b. 18 Feb., 1659, in Ipswich ; m. 

Stone. 5. George. 2 * 6. Jonathan, 2 m. Sarah Smith of 
Topsficld, 2 Feb., 1692-93, by whom he had nine children; 
lived in Boxford, where his descendants resided for many 
years. 7. Daniel, 2 m. Hannah Chandler of Andover, 2 
Dec, 1674 ; lived in Andover, and had several children. 

8. Benjamin, 2 m. Mary ; lived in Topsfield, and had 

numerous descendants, one of whom, Mr. Daniel Bixby, 
now resides in Boxford. 9. Abigail. 2 

John Cummings resided near by the preceding settler 
(Joseph Bixby), in Rowley Village. He owned five hun- 
dred acres of land in the Village, and was taxed in 1661 
ten shillings. He probably settled here in 1658 ; was here 
in 1678-79, when he was a gatherer of a rate to procure 
powder and bullets ; and was also living on the same place 
in May, 1699, which is the last we know of him. None of 
his children are again mentioned on the records — with 
the exception of the death of one in infancy — after the 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Bixby residents of 
Boxford from Joseph's son George : — 

George" m. Rebecca . He lived on land given to him by his father. 

Ch. : 1. Nathaniel, 3 b. 1 March, 1693 (?) ; d. 9 March, 1702-03. 2. Gideon, 1 
b. 1 Sept , 1699. 

Gideon 3 m. Rebecca, dau. of Timothy and Ruth (Andrews) Foster, 20 
June, 1751. He d. 1754 or 1755, and she m. 2d, Solomon Gould of Topsfield, 
12 May, 1756. Ch. : 1. Gideon* b. 15 June, 1752. 

Gideon* m. Sarah Wood, 18 July, 17S0, who d. 9 Oct., 1837. He d. 15 
Feb., 1S30. Ch. : 1. Rebecca, 5 b. 12 May, 1781 ; m. Ancill Kimball, 5 Jan., 
1805. 2. Sally, 5 b. 6 Dec, 17S3. 3. David, s b. 20 April, 17S6. 4. George, 5 
b. 27 Dec, 178S. 5. Charles, 5 b. 19 Oct., 1793; m. Hannah French, 31 Dec, 
1818; had issue. 6. Samuel, $ b. 13 April, 1799. 

Deacon Samuel 5 m. Eleanor E. Johnson of Andover, 4 Feb., 1830. Ch.: 
1. Sarah Ellen, 6 b. 30 March, 1S31 ; m. Charles Foster. 2. Samuel Johnson, 6 
b. 4 Feb., 1S33. 3. George Loring, 6 b. 25 Jan., 1835; d. 17 Jan., 1838. 
4. Stephen Augustus, 6 b. 3 Dec, 1S36. 5. George Loring, 6 b. 11 July, 
1S39. 6. Rebecca Kimball, 6 b. 17 March, 1S41 ; m. Charles N. Sargent, 
1873. 7- Mai 7 Peabody, 6 b. 23 May, 1843. 8 - Harriet E., 6 b. 17 Nov., 
1844; m. Gardner Kimball. 9. Abbie M., 6 b. 12 Dec, 1845. 



30 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

date of their births, which are recorded at Salem. By his 
wife Sarah he had the following children: I. Nathaniel, 2 
b. 10 Sept., 1659. 2. Sarah, 2 b. 28 Jan., 1661. 3. Wil- 
liam, 2 b. 5 Aug., 1 67 1 ; d. 30 March, 1672. 4. Eliezer, 2 
twin with the preceding, b. 5 Aug., 1671. 5. Benjamin, 2 
b. 23 Feb., 1672. 6. Samuel, 2 b. 28 Dec, 1677. 

Robert Eames (spelled at the present time, Ames), 
another early inhabitant, probably came from Boxford, Eng. 
He undoubtedly resided near the Andover line, as several 
of the births of his oldest children are recorded on the 
Andover town records. We find no conveyances of prop- 
erty either to or from him ; and for forty shillings his son 
Daniel (at his father's death) discharges to his brothers 
John and Robert all his right of dower in their father's 
estate : so that we conclude, from this and connecting 
circumstances, that this settler had little property. He 
married, about 1660, Rebecca, eldest daughter of George 
Blake of Gloucester, who afterwards removed to Boxford, 
and became an early settler. She was rather of a loose 
character, and in 1692 was arrested as a witch, and con- 
demned ; but was reprieved after seven months' imprison- 
ment, and lived to be eighty-one years old, dying 8 May, 
1 72 1. She was imprisoned in August, 1692, reprieved in 
March, 1693; and her husband died 22 July following. 
Their children were: 1. Hannah, 2 b. 18 "Dec, 1661 ; m. 
Ephraim Foster of Andover, about 1678. 2. Daniel, 2 b. 7 
April, 1663. 3. Robert, 2 b. 1666 or 1667. 4. John, 2 - b. 11 
Oct., 1670. 5. Dorothy, 2 b. 20 Dec, 1674 ; m. Samuel 
Swan of Haverhill. 6. Jacob, 2 b. 20 July, 1677. 7- Joseph, 2 
b. 9 Oct., 1681. 8. Nathaniel, 2 b. about 1685. Daniel, 2 the 
eldest son, m. Lydia Wheeler in Andover, 15 April, -1683, 
and settled in Boxford. In the beginning of the winter of 
I( ^93-94 he left his wife and six small children (the oldest 
being a daughter under ten years of age) in destitution. 
She applied to the selectmen for help ; and John Peabody 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 31 

took the family to his home, and supplied them with the 
necessaries of life during the winter. We know no more 
of him. Robert, 2 jun., m. Bethiah Gatchell of Seekonk, 

20 April, 1 ; lived in Boxford, and had children. John 2 

m. Priscilla Kimball of Bradford, — Nov., 1 , by whom 

he had seven children ; lived in Boxford, where he was a 

worthy citizen. Joseph 2 m. Jemimah , and died 27 

Dec, 1753, at the age of seventy-three years. Of his nine 
children, two of his sons, Jacob 3 and Jonathan, 3 settled 
here. The cellar over which stood the house in which Jon- 
athan 3 lived is plainly visible on the road between the two 
parishes, not far from the corner near the residence of 
Capt. Enoch Wood. Jonathan's wife was Elizabeth Blunt 
of Andover. By her he had, among other children, a son 
Jonathan, who married a young wife, and resided with his 
parents in the above-mentioned house. After being married 
but a little while, the young bride very mysteriously and 
suddenly died, and was buried ; but was exhumed, as murder 
by poisoning was suspected. The body was brought to the 
house, laid on a table, and every one who was present was 
requested to lay their hand on her face, as the belief then 
was, that when the guilty hand touched her flesh blood 
would issue forth. This Jonathan's mother refused to do ; 
whereupon she was committed to jail, and in her sleep was 
heard to mutter: " Don't tell on me, Jonathan. If you do, 
I shall be hanged." The family were rich, and it is said 
that money saved her life. This occurred in 1769. The 
name has been extinct here for about a century ; but there 
is a possible chance of its being re-established by the family 
of Mr. John C. Ames. 

William Foster, from Ipswich, settled in Rowley Vil- 
lage in 1 66 1. The old house that stood, some years ago, on 
the site of the late residence of Mr. Dean Andrews, de- 
ceased, was undoubtedly his residence. The first town- 
meetings were held in his house ; and in it was also kept, 



32 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

for several years after the incorporation of the town, a 
kind of tavern, called, in the language of those days, an 
ordinary. Mr. Foster was one of the principal men in 
the Village, as the numerous offices of trust of all kinds 
held by him fully prove. He was born in England in 
1633, and was son of Reginald and Judith Foster, who 
emigrated (from Exeter, Devonshire, Eng., says tradition) to 
Ipswich, Mass., bringing William with them, he then being 
but five years of age. While of Ipswich, 15 May, 1661, he 
married Mary, daughter of William and Joanna Jackson 
of Rowley, who was born 8 Feb., 1639. He died 17 May, 
1713, at the age of eighty years. Their children were : 1. 
Mary, 2 b. 16 March, 1661-62 ; m. Samuel Kilburn of Row- 
ley, November, 1682. 2. Judith, 2 b. 19 June, 1664 ; m. John 
Platts of Rowley, 13 April, 1693. 3. Hannah ; - m. Theophilus 
Rix of Wenham, 1 1 May, 17 10. 4. Jonathan, 2 * b. 6 March, 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Foster residents of 
Boxford from William's son Jonathan : — 

'Jonathan' 1 m. 14 Dec, 16 — , Abigail, daughter .of John and Sarah Kimball, 
— early settlers of Boxford, — and d. 21 May, 1730. Ch. : 1, Jonathan? b. 
15 Sept., 169-. 2. Abigail, 3 b. 22 Nov., 1697 ; m. Jacob Tyler of Andover, 
13 July, 1727. 3. Zebadiah, 3 b. 28 Sept., 1702 ; m. Margaret Tyler, 30 Jan., 
1723-24 ; lived in Boxford, and had nine children ; d. 21 Feb., 1772. 

Jonathan 3 m. Hannah, dau. of William and Hannah (Hale) Peabody of 
Boxford, who d. I June, 1769, a. 76. Ch. : 1. Oliver,' 4 b. 17 Aug., 1719, in 
Boxford. 2. Hannah, 4 b. 15 Dec, 1721, in Boxford ; d. in Boxford, 22 Jan., 
1760, unm. 3. Jonathan? b. 11 Oct., 1727, in Haverhill. 4. William, 4 b. 9 
Nov., 1729, in Haverhill. Richard? b. 20 Feb., 1732-33, in Boxford. 

Jonathan 4 m. Rebecca, dau. of John and Rebecca (Smith) Dorman of 
Boxford, 28 June, 1764, who d. 16 Oct., 1794, a. 62. He was a captain in 
the Revolution, and d. 28 July, 1S13. Ch. : 1. Israel, s b. 16 March, 1765; m. 
Mehitable Carleton, 17 April, 1794; lived in Boxford, and had children. 2. 

Charles, 3 b. 26 April, 1767 ; m. Lucy Austin of Andover, \ ® \ March, 1796 ; 

had children. 3. Betsey, 5 b. 12 March, 1769. 4. Amasa, 5 b. 8 May, 1771 ; 
pub. to Betsy Poor of Rowley, 1 Oct., 1792. 5. Jonathan? b. 3 Feb., 1774. 
6. Phineas, 5 b. 27 July, 1776. 

Richard* m. Elizabeth Kimball of Andover, 19 Nov., 1761. Ch : 1. Jedi- 
diah, 5 b. 25 Nov., 1762. 2. Phineas, 5 b. 10 Aug., 1764. 3. Asa? b. 29 April, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 33 

1667-6S. 5. William, 2 b. 1670. 6. Timothy, 2 b. 1672. 7. 
David, 2 b. 9 May, 1679. 8. Samuel, 2 b. 20 Feb., 1681-82. 
9. Joseph, 2 b. 1 68- William 2 married Sarah Kimball, sister 
of his brother Jonathan's wife, and settled in Boxford. He 
removed to Andover after the births of two of his children. 
Timothy 2 m. Mary Dorman and Ruth Andrews. He was 
a worthy citizen of Boxford, where he had several children 
born. David 2 m. Mary Black, and in 1705 or 1706 removed 
to Haverhill. Samuel 2 m. Mary Macoon of Cambridge, 
and 'settled in Boxford, where two of his sons also lived. 
This branch of the Foster family fully sustained the high 
character of its ancestors and other branches. 

Robert Smith, another early settler, born in 1623 or 
1626, was an inhabitant of Boxford as early as 1661. He 
was a rather quiet man, and a friend to the advancement of 
the settlement. He died 30 Aug., 1693, leaving an estate 
valued at about two hundred pounds. He died intestate ; 
and the administration of the estate was granted to his 
son Samuel, 3 Oct., 1698. By his wife Mary, he had the 



1766. 4. Benjamin, 5 b. 17 June, 1769. 5. Dorcas, 5 b. 3 Dec, 1772. 6. Betty, 5 
b. 11 June, 1775. 7. Hannah, 5 b. 2 Sept., 1777. 

Jonathan 5 m. Mary Kimball, 24 Dec, 1800, and d. 17 Nov., 1856. Ch. : 1. 
Mary, 6 b. 12 Oct., 1801. 2. Eleanor, 6 b. 26 Feb., 1804. 3. Asa Kimball, 6 b. 20 
Feb., 1S07 ; d. 18 Nov., 1835. 4. Eliza Augusta, 6 b. — Nov., 1810 ; d. 6 May, 
1835. 5. Jonathan Edwards? b. 9 May, 1S15. 6. George Noyes, 6 b. 31 
March, 1817. 

Asa 5 m. Dolly Morrill of Salisbury, 20 Jan., 1S02. He d. — Dec, 1831. 
Ch : 1. Archelaus Morrill, 6 b. 10 March, 1803; d. 24 March, 1827. 2. Asa, 6 
b. 10 Nov., 1806 ; d. insane, 22 April, 1835. 3. Richard Kimball? b. 21 Aug., 
1S09. 

Jonathan Edwards 6 m. Susan R., dau. of Benjamin and Rachel (Hunt- 
ing) Peabody of Boxford, 10 Jan., 1S43. He died of small-pox, 2S Jan., 1867. 
Ch. : 1. Thomas Peabody, 7 b. 30 Oct., 1843. 2 - Reginald Dana, 7 b. 18 Feb., 
184S. 3. Eliza Edwards, 7 b. 23 Nov., 1850. 4. Fannie Florence, 7 b. 3 Sept., 
1855 ; d. of consumption, 23 Aug., 1S78. 

Richard Kimball b m. Elizabeth Webb. Ch. : 1. Richard Allen, 7 b. 15 
Nov., 1843. 2 - Elizabeth A., 7 b. 19 March, 1S46; m. L. H. Cheney. 3, 
William Webb, 7 b. 24 Oct., 1S4S ; d. 1 May, 1S49. 



34 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

following children : I. Phebe, 2 b. 26 Aug., 1661. 2. Ephraim, 2 
b. 29 Oct., 1663. 3. Samuel, 2 b. 26 Jan., 1666. 4. Amye, 2 
b. 16 Aug., 1668. 5. Sarah, b. 25 June, 1670 ; d. 28 Aug., 

1673. 6. Nathaniel, 2 b. 7 Sept., 1672. 7. Jacob, 2 * b. 26 Jan., 

1674. 9. Mariah, 2 b. 18 Dec, 1677. Ephraim 2 m. Mary, dau. 
of John and Elizabeth (Perkins) Ramsdell, — early settlers 
of Boxford, — 6 Sept., 1694 ; by whom he had several chil- 
dren. He lived in Boxford, where also several generations 
of his posterity resided. Samuel 2 resided in Boxford, until 
he removed to Topsfield in 1693 or 1694, and married Phebe 
Howe of that town. He married, second, Rebecca Curtis of 
that place, of whom was born Samuel Smith, great-grand- 
father of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Mormon faith, 
who was born at Sharon, Vt, 26 Dec, 1805 ; lived at Pal- 
myra and Manchester, N.Y., and Nauvoo, 111., and was killed 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Smith residents in 
Boxford from Robert's son Jacob : — 

Jacob' 1 m. Rebecca Symonds. Ch. : i. Rebecca, 3 b. 30 Jan., 1707-0S ; m. 
John Dorman, 28 Jan., 1729-30. 2. Jacob, 3 b. 20 Oct., 1709. 3. Joseph, 3 b. 
23 May, 1713. 4. Kezia, 3 b. 30 April, 1716; m. Jacob Baker, 5 Aug., 1736. 
5. Moses, 3 b. 13 June, 17 18. 6. Ruth, 3 b. 21 Sept., 1721. 7. Nathaniel, 3 b. 5 
Aug., 1724. 

Nathaniel 3 m. Sarah Burpee of Rowley, 23 May, 1751. Ch. : 1. Anna, 4 
b. 25 June, 1752. 2. Jacob, 4 b. 28 Nov., 1753; d. 30 June, 1S29. 3. Mer- 
riam, 4 b. 28 April, 1755. 4. Nathaniel, 4 b. 30 Dec, 1756; m. Mary Hood, 
2 Feb., 1778. 5. Ruth, 4 b. 25 April, 1758 ; d. 5 Nov., 1759. 6. Sarah, 4 b. 28 
Aug., 1759. 7. Ruth, 4 b. 20 April, 1761. 8. Ebenezer, 4 b. 9 Jan., 1763 9. 
Rebecca, 4 b. 17 Sept., 1764. 10. Moses, 4 b. 6 July, 1766. 11. Hepzibah, 4 b. 
9 April, 1768. 12. Josephfb. 27 Feb., 1771. 

Joseph* m. 1st, Hepzibah Chapman, 24 Dec, 1799; m. 2d, Kezia Gould, 
17 Dec, 1805, who d. 23 Aug., 1842. He d. 10 Dec, 1S26. Ch., by 1st wife : 
1. Elizabeth Chapman, s b. 3 Dec, 1800. 2. Charles, 5 b. 6 May, 1S02. By 
2d wife : 3. Ruthy Ann, 5 b. 4 Nov., 1806 ; m. Hiram Perley. 4. Nathaniel, 3 
b. 24 June, 1S08 ; m. Martha Pearce; d. 17 April, 1S79; no issue. 5. Cal- 
vin? b. 27 Aug., 1S09. 

Calvin* m. Elizabeth Pearce, 1833, and d. 18 Nov., 1S70. Ch. : 1. 
Elizabeth Matilda, 6 b. 7 April, 1S34. 2. George Cheever, 6 b. 17 March, 1S36. 
3. Mary Priscilla, 6 b. 5 July, 1S38. 4. Joseph H. H., 6 b. 3 March, 1841. 
5. William Arthur, 6 b. 18 Dec, 1844. 6. Charles L., 6 b. 2 July, 1S46. 7. Jose- 
phine. 6 8. Benjamin P., 6 b. 24 April, 1S52. 9. Walter, 6 b. 19 Oct., 1S55. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 35 

at Carthage, 111., 27 June, 1844. The Smith residents in 
Boxford at the present time can claim kinship with the 
"prophet." 

Zaccheus Curtis lived first in Reading, then moved to 
Gloucester, where he had a daughter, Mary, born 12 May, 
1659. He removed to Rowley Village (Boxford) shortly 
after ; being of the village in 1663, 8 June, when Zaccheus 
Gould of Topsfield deeds to him a parcel of land lying on 
the south side of Fish Brook, and also gives said Curtis 
liberty to pasture as many cattle upon Gould's common- 
land as he (Curtis) could raise fodder enough on the bar- 
gained premises to "winter" from year to year, and also 
a highway for Curtis to go to Topsfield in on the east side 
of Robert Andrews' house, &c. Mr. Curtis' residence was 
about half a mile directly west from the residence of the 
late Francis Curtis, where the cellar is still pointed out. 
His wife was Joanna. His children, besides the above 
Mary (who m. Jonathan Look, 19 Nov., 1678 ; lived in Tops- 
field), were undoubtedly, Zaccheus,* Ephraim, Abigail, 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Curtis residents in 
Boxford from Zaccheus' son Zaccheus : — 

Zaccheus- m. Mary, dau. of George and Dorothy Blake of Gloucester 
(afterwards early settlers of Boxford), 4 Dec, 1673, an< ^ died m tne summer 
of 1712. Ch. : 1. Mary, 3 b. 10 Feb., 1674 ; d. 31 Dec, 1674. 2. Sarah, 3 b. 27 
Dec, 1675; m. James Scales (her cousin) of Rowley, 10 March, 1703-04. 
3. Mary, 3 b. 11 Nov., 1677; d. 21 Oct., 16S3. 4. Zaccheus, 3 b. 4 Jan., 1679; d. 
7 Nov., 1683. 5. James* b. 12 Dec, 16S1. 6. Abigail, 3 b. 21 Oct., 1683. 
7. Mary, 3 b. 1 March, 1684-85. 8. Ruth, 3 b. 26 April, 1686. 9. Zachariah, b. 
26 July, 1688. 10. Prudence, 3 b. 24 Sept., 1689. 11. Joseph, 3 b. 11 March, 
1692. 12. Mercy, 3 b. , 1694. 13. Deborah, 3 b. 25 May, 1696. 

James 3 m. Eleanor, dau. of Francis Jafford of Casco Bay. Ch. : r, 
James, 4 b. about 17 12. 

James* m. Sarah Buswell, (pub.) 1 Oct., 1731. Ch. : 1. Sarah, 5 b. 8 Oct., 
1733 ; m. Ebenezer Ingalls of Andover, 29 Jan., 1765. 2. Daniel, 5 b. 23 Jan., 

1735-36; m. Mary , and lived in Boxford. 3. Eleanor, 5 b. 7 Aug. 

1738. 4. John, 1 b. 20 April, 1741. 5. Asa, 5 b. 1744. 6. Moses, 5 b. 24 Feb., 
1747. 7. Hannah, 5 b. 11 Jan., 1750; m. Pelatiah Day of New Salem, 14 
Oct, 1773. 

John 5 m. Ruth Peabody of Middleton, 8 Oct., 1765, and d. 12 July, 



3& HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Sarah, and perhaps John of Topsfield. Sarah m. James, son 
of William and Ann Scales of Rowley, 7 Nov., 1677, whose 
son (James) m. Sarah, daughter of Zaccheus Curtis, jun., 
and resided in Boxford. Ephraim married Elizabeth Kil- 
burn of Rowley, by Mr. Payson, 6 Sept., 1693, and had 
several children, who continued to reside on the original 
homestead, — it having been bequeathed to Ephraim, after 
his mother's death, by his father's will, which was made 
upon his death-bed in 1682. Zaccheus, jun., built his 
house on the site now occupied by the late residence of 
Francis Curtis, deceased, who was a lineal descendant. 
April 12, 1682, the town of Topsfield voted to give Zaccheus 
Curtis enough clapboards and shingles to cover his house, 
&c, if it don't take over fifteen hundred : this was when 
he built his house probably. 

Capt. John Peabody was son of Lieut. Francis and Mary 
(Foster) Peabody, and was born in 1642. He was the first 
of the name born in America. In 1665 he took to himself 
a wife from the Village, having settled here two years pre- 
viously. His house stood where the barn stands at the 

17S3. She m. 2d, Bartholomew Trask of Beverly, 2 May, 1796, and d. 22 
March, 1S29, a. S5 years. Ch. : 1 John, 6 b. 19 June, 1766 ; m. Eunice Harris 
of Ipswich, (pub.) 25 June, 17S5. 2. Ruth, 6 b. 1 March, 176S. 3. Francis, 6 
b. 11 Jan , 1770 ; d. y. 4. Sarah, 6 b. 30 March, 1772. 5. James, 6 b. 25 Jan., 
1774. 6. Peggy, 6 b. 7 Sept., 1775. 7. Francis* b. 6 Oct., 1777. S. Betty, 6 b. 
1779. 9. Elizabeth, 6 b. 28 April, 17S1. 10. Rebecca, 6 b. 26 March, 1783. 

Francis* m. Mary Killam, 18 Jan., 179S, who d. 31 Dec, 1847. He d. 11 
Oct., 1829. Ch. : 1. Betsey, 7 b. 18 March, 1798. 2. Polly, 7 b. 4 Nov., 1799; 
m. John Gould. 3. Cynthia, 7 b. 18 May, 1803. 4. Francis, 7 b. 21 April, 
1805. 5. John, 7 b. 25 Aug., 1814 ; lives in Middleton ; m. Killam. 

Francis 7 m. Lorintha Uavis of Reading, Vt. He d. 11 Sept., 1878. Ch. : 
1. Francis, 8 b. 11 July, 1836. 2 George, 8 b. 28 Sept., 1837. 3. Oscar F., 8 
b. 2 Jan., 1839. 4. Lucy D., 8 b. 1S41. 5. Marietta. 8 b. S July, 1S43. 6 « 
Francelia, 8 b. 16 April, 1S45 > m - Daniel Fuller of Topsfield. 7. Irene W., 8 b. 
27 March, 1847 ; m. Edward B. Lowe of Lynn, 9 June, 1872. 8. Christopher 
L., 8 b. 22 Dec, 1S51 ; d. 2S March, 1S7S. 9. Justin* b. 23 June, 1S55. 

Justin* m. Ella M. Gould, 16 Dec, 1S76. Ch. : 1. Justin,? b. 31 July, 
1877. 2. Nellie Marietta,' b. 12 May, 1S79. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 37 

summer residence of the late Hon. Julius A. Palmer, — 
Mr. Palmer's wife being a lineal descendant of Mr. Pea- 
body. The old house "was standing until about fifteen 
years ago, when it was razed to the ground by Mr. Palmer. 
It was a large, two-story, square mansion, and, as was the 
custom in early times, the walls were filled in with brick. 
On the front the second story projected about a foot over 
the lower story. While in the last days of its existence it 
presented a most forlorn and dreary appearance. .It stood 
in an open field alone ; and in front, near the road, was an 
old tumble-down wall over which the blackberry and other 
vines had trailed themselves in labyrinthian texture. For 
many years a selectman, and twenty-four years town-clerk, 
he was the principal town officer. Most of the early town 
records are in his handwriting, and, for those days, the 
chirography is very good. yj Q jf 




His autograph is here given, 
as written by him in 1690. C/ /[) 1, 

In the militia, he had attained 

to the degree of captain, which appellation he bore till 
his death. Among his descendants are the late George 
Peabody, Esq., the well-known London banker ; Josiah 
Greenough Peabody, mayor of Lowell, 1865 and 1866; 
and many other noted persons. He married 1st, Hannah, 
daughter of Robert and Grace Andrews — early settlers 
of Boxford, — 23 Nov., 1665 ; who died 4 Dec, 1702, and 
was buried in Maiden, where her gravestone is yet pre- 
served. He married, secondly, Sarah Mosely of Dorches- 
ter, 26 Nov., 1703; and died 5 July, 1720. His children 
(all by first wife) were: 1. John, 2 b. 28 Aug., 1666; d. 
unm. in Caess, Spain, 4 March, 169- 2. Hannah, 2 b. 8 
May, 1668 ; m. Joseph Buckman, 24 Feb., 1690. 3. 
Thomas, 2 b. 22 July, 1670; d. in Boston (?) unm., 30 
Nov., 170-. 4. Mary, 2 b. 4 April, 1672 ; m. Richard Hazen. 
5. Lydia, 2 b. 10 March, 1673-74; m. Jacob Perley, 6 Dec, 



38 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1696. 6. Francis, 2 b. 1 1 March, 1677 ; d. in France, — Dec, 
1704. 7. David, 2 * b. 12 July, 1678. 8. Elizabeth, 2 b. 13 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Peabody residents in 
Boxford from John's son David : — 

David 2 m. Sarah Pope of Dartmouth, and d. 4 Sept., 1726. "Ensign" 
in the militia. Ch. : 1. Thomas, 7 ' b. 22 Sept., 1705. 2. Hannah, 3 b. 14 Oct., 
1707. 3. Sarah, 3 b. 26 Sept., 1709; d. 18 May, 1788. 4. Marcy, 3 b. 23 Jan., 
1712-13; d. 26 Sept., 179S. 5. John, 3 b. 7 April, 1714; d. 27 April, 1765. 
6. Deborah, 3 b. — Sept., 1716; d. 21 Aug., 1736. 7. Rebecca, 3 b. 8 Dec, 17 18 ; 
d. 25 Feb., 1798. 8. Susanna, 3 b. 27 July, 1721 ; d. — Oct., 1794. 9. David, 3 
b. in Boxford 4 Oct., 1724 ; lived in Andover and Haverhill ; m. Mary Gaines of 
Ipswich, Mass., who d. at Newburyport, — April, 1S06, a. 77 ; he d. 16 Aug., 
1774. [Thomas/ son of David, 3 b. in Andover, 7 Sept., 1762; m. Judith, 
dau. of Jeremiah and Judith (Spofford) Dodge of Rowley, — Dec, 17S8 ; 
lived in Haverhill and Danvers ; d. 13 May, 1S11 ; she died at Lockport, 
N.Y., 22 June, 1830, a 60. Their son George, 5 the celebrated London 
banker, b. in Peabody, Mass., 18 Feb., 1795, and d - 4 Nov -» lS68 d IO - Mary, 3 
b. 1 Nov., 1726; d. in Ipswich, 2 Sept., 1736. 

Thomas 7, m. Ruth Osgood of Andover, 21 Nov., 1738; and d. 1 April, 
1758. Ch. : 1. Susanna/ b. 7 Feb., 1738-39. 2. Thomas, 4 b. 28 Sept., 1740. 

3. Ebenezerfh. 7 Dec, 1742. 4. Sarah, 4 b. 16 Dec, 1744; d. 20 Oct., 1747. 

5. Ruth, 4 b. 9 Dec, 1746. 6. Sarah, 4 b. 5 Oct-., 1748. 7. Rebecca, 4 b. 3 
Jan., 1750-51. 8. Seth, 4 b. 14 April, 1753. 9. Nathan, 4 b. 31 Aug., 1756; 
d. in Boston, 1798. 

Lieut. Ebenezer*m. 1st, Elizabeth Pearl, 9 Feb., 1764, who d. 11 March, 
1776, a. 32. He m. 2d, Sarah Pearl, 18 March, 1780. He d. — Jan., 1829. 
A Revolutionary officer, suffering the trials and privations of war during the 
entire seven years. Ch. by 1st wife : 1. Lois, 5 b. 6 Aug., 1764. 2. Eben- 
ezer, b. 13 Feb., 1767. 3. Thomas, 5 b. 4 Feb., 1769. 4. Stephen, 5 b. 24 
Aug., 1771. 5. Sarah, 5 b. 20 Aug., 1773; d. 12 Feb., 1776. Ch. by 2d wife: 

6. Seth, 5 b. 21 Feb., 1782. 7. Sarah, 5 b. 11 Sept., 17S3. 8. Hannah, 5 b. 8 
Dec, 1785. 9. Betsey, 5 b. 6. Oct., 1787. 10. Benjamin, 5 b. 2 Nov., 1789. 
11. Isaac 5 b. 14 March, 1791. 12. Daraxa, 5 b. 2 Dec, 1794; m. John 
Bacon. 

Benjamin* m. Rachel Hunting of Boston, 26 March, 181 5. He d. 10 
April, 1879. Ch. : 1. Susan Rachel, 6 b. in Boston, 1 Feb., 1816 ; m. Jona- 
than Edwards Foster. 2. Sarah Ann, 6 b. in Boston, 16 Feb., 1818 ; m. John 
P. Foster. 3. Thomas Isaac, 6 b. 29 Aug, 1820; was out in Boston Harbor, 
sailing with the boatman and twenty scholars of the Farm School there, of 
which he was teacher, when the boat was upset and all drowned, in 1842. 

4. Caroline Amelia, 6 b. 3 July, 1S22 ; m. S. H. Batchelder. 5. Eliza 
Osgood, 6 b. 8 Oct., 1824 ; m. Isaac W. Andrew, brother to Gov. John A. 
Andrew; resides in Boxford. 6. Louisa Jennette, 6 b. 24 June, 1827. 7. 
Benjamin Franklin, 6 b. 15 Jan., 1S32. 8. Ada Byron, 6 b. 10 May, 1S36, m # 
William P. Cleaveland. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 39 

Aug., 1680; m. David Andrews, 12 Feb , 1702. 9. Nathan, 2 
b. 21 July, 1682. 10. Ruth, 2 b. 13 Nov., 1684; m. John 
Wood (father of Hon. Aaron Wood). 11. Moses, 2 b. 27 
Feb., 1687 ; d. in Cocheco (now Dover, N. H.), 21 March, 
1 70-. Several of his sons settled in Boxford, where many 
of their posterity were also worthy citizens. 

Samuel Symonds was born in January, 1638 ; m. Eliza- 
beth, daughter of Robert and Grace Andrews — early 
settlers of Boxford, — and settled here in 1663. He was 
made a freeman, 22 March, 1689-90. After serving the 
town as selectman, and many other ways, for several years, 
he died 14 Aug., 1722, at the age of eighty-four years and 
seven months. His widow died 17 March, 1725, aged 
eighty-three years. The residence of this settler was 
undoubtedly situated westerly of the dwelling-house of 
Mr. George W. Twitchel, where the ancient cellar is yet 
discerned. His children were: 1. Elizabeth, 2 b. 12 July, 
1663. 2. Hannah, 2 b. 27 Dec, 1665. 3. Grace, 2 b. 14 
Oct., 1667 ; m. Zerubabel Endicott, an early settler of 
Boxford. 4. Mary, 2 b. 26 Feb., 1669; m. Joseph Peabody 
of Ipswich, 1693-94. 5. Samuel, 2 b. 6 April, 1672. 6. 
John, 2 b. 29 March, 1674. 7. Ruth, 2 b. 24 Dec, 1676; m. 
Andrew Elliot of Boston, 19 July, 170- 8. Rebecca, 2 b. 
31 May, 1679 ; m. Jacob Smith, and lived in Boxford. 9. 
Phebe, 2 b. 2 Oct., 1682 ; m. John Fuller of Salem, 9 June, 
17 — . 10. Joseph, 2 b. 24 May, 1685. n. Nathaniel, 2 b. 
26 Jan., 1687. Of these sons, Samuel 2 resided in that 
part of the town which was afterwards included in the town 
of Middleton. He was a deacon of the church in Middle- 
ton for many years. Pie married three wives, and, after 
being the father of more than a dozen children, died 7 July, 
1755, at the age of eighty-four years. John 2 m. Hannah, 
dau. of Thomas and Mary (Howlett) Hazen, — early set- 
tlers of Boxford, and had a large family. He lived in 
Boxford, as also his brother Joseph, 2 who married Mary 



40 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Teabody, and settled on the old homestead, where his 
descendants have resided until within half a century. 
Nathaniel 2 also lived here, but was never married. 

Before the land in the Village was laid out, Abraham 
Redington, Robert Stiles, Joseph Bixby, John Cummings, 
William Foster, and John Peabody, six of the early settlers 
of whom we have been speaking, bought of Joseph Jewett 
of Rowley, three thousand acres of the Village lands. 
Soon after, the town of Rowley laid out twelve hundred 
acres of it to the several owners, which was bounded south 
by Fish Brook ; east by " Abel Langley's farm ; " * north by 
Northend's and Dickinson's farm, which was in the vicinity 
of Reyner Pond ; and west by a tract of land belonging to 
Samuel Pickard of Rowley. This last line was probably in 
the vicinity of the match-factory. As will at once be 
recognized, these twelve hundred acres were laid out so as to 
enclose the plain on which the East Parish village is situ- 
ated. Six house-lots of thirty acres each were laid out, on 
which the proprietors built their houses and settled down 
upon the plain, thus becoming the first residents of Rowley 
Village. A road was laid out from east to west, " as near 
Fish Brook as possible," and another highway, twelve rods 
in breadth, leading from this road to " the hills on the 
north side of the plain," for " the cattle to go and come in." 
The undivided land, lying in front of the post-office at the 
present time, was made common May 2, 17 10, for the 
neighborhood to pasture their " cattle and other creatures " 
in. Also, on the side of the highway in the west part of 
this tract of land, as much land was left common as there 
was in the other common just mentioned, for the same 
purpose. Eight hundred acres more were laid out on the 
west of Pickard's farm, shortly afterward, in which high- 

* This "farm," which merely means land, was situated on the west side 
of Pye Brook, and contained eighty acres. Langley belonged to Rowley. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 41 

ways were laid out for the cattle to go and come in, in 
1710.* 

Until 1666 or 1667, most of the land in the Village, with 
the exception of some of the tracts already mentioned, lay 
common. Then the town of Rowley appointed two men, 
— Ezekiel Northend and John Pickard, — who laid the land 
out to those who owned shares in these lands by right of 
purchase, and to owners of house-lots in Rowley. The 
size of the tracts granted to the last-named class was in 
proportion to the size of their house-lots ; those owning a 
two-acre house-lot obtained two hundred acres, and a one- 
and-a-half-acre house-lot, only sixty-seven acres. Where 
other men obtained larger tracts, it was because of some 
business contract, or as in the case of John Pickard, who 
owned several house-lots. We insert a list of the several 
tracts, to whom laid out, size, &c. : — 

" To Zacheus Gould, thirty-two hundred acres ; bounded south by 
Ipswich river, west by the town line that runneth from the river to the 
eight-mile tree, north and east by Fishing brook and various persons' 
lands, including the John Endicott farm [see p. 21] of five hundred 
and fifty acres within its boundaries. 

"To the town of Rowley, three thousand acres. The right to this 
land was sold by Zacheus Gould to Joseph Jewett, for the benefit of 
such as employed him to make the purchase, for which Jewett paid 
ninety pounds. Jewett, by agreement with the town, received in ex- 
change nine hundred and sixty acres in the neck, by Merrimack 
river, and forty acres of meadow, in three pieces, in the village lands. 
The three thousand acres were bounded north by the line dividing the 
village lands from the Merrimack lands, east by the line which parts 
Rowley lands from village lands, south by the pond called Elder's 
or Baldpate pond, in part, and part by undivided lands. 

"To Lieut. John Remington, eighty acres ; bounded east by Tops- 
field line, west by Goodman Gould's land. 

" To John Lambert, eighty acres ; bounded west by Goodman 

* Hundreds of plans of these tracts of land, highways, &c, have been 
made by the author. We have no doubt but that, if we had time, a very 
good map might be made of these ancient landmarks. 



42 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Gould, on other parts by various persons, touching upon Fishing 
brook and Wade's neck, so called. 

" To Abel Longley, eighty acres ; bounded south-east by said 
Lambert and Gould, south-west by Fishing brook. Also a hundred 
and twenty acres more, bounded north by Baker's meadow, on Pye 
brook, and by various persons. 

" To Samuel Brocklebank, two hundred acres ; bounded south-east 
by Topsfield line, north by Baker's meadow at Pye brook ; on other 
parts by various persons. 

" To Ezekiel Northend, three hundred acres, in two parcels ; one 
parcel lying upon the Village plains, so called ; the other piece is 
bounded north-westerly by Elder's pond, &c. 

" To Thomas Dickenson, two hundred acres, adjoining the way to 
Andover on the north ; the south side is by land belonging to Tops- 
field men, hereafter named. 

" To John Pickard, four hundred acres ; bounded north by the line 
between Rowley and the village land, by land of E. Northend, and 
Elder's pond ; west by a highway six rods wide, running from the 
head of Elder's pond to Andover way. Also four hundred acres 
more, lying easterly of the above piece. Also a hundred acres more, 
lying easterly of the last piece. Also two hundred and fifty acres 
more, lying near Johnson's pond, and adjoining the line of Merrimack 
lands on the north. Bounded easterly by the line between the three 
thousand acres belonging to Rowley and the village lands. 

" To Thomas Dickinson, a hundred acres ; bounded north by the 
minister's farm; also bounded by the Great pond, and by Sedgy 
meadow. 

" To the Topsfield men, Goodman Dorman, Goodman Peabody, 
and the rest, six in all, twelve hundred acres. Bounded south by the 
Fishing brook, west by John Pickard, north by Ezekiel Northend and 
others, east by Abel Longley. 

" To Thomas Leaver, sixty-seven acres ; bounded north by John- 
son's pond, east by John Pickard [see p. 398]. 

" To John Sandys, in right of his father, Henry Sandys, two hun- 
dred acres; bounded north by the line of Merrimack and a pond, east 
by undivided land. 

"To Wm. Stickney, Wm. Tenny, Thos. Palmer, John Burbank, 
Peter Cooper, Wm. Scales, to all these sixty-seven acres each, or 
four hundred and two acres. 

" To Richard Langhorn, a hundred acres. These seven have their 
land together. It lyeth on both sides the highway that goeth from 
Ipswich to Andover; that on the north of the highway, runneth from 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 43 

the highway at the head of Elder's pond, taking in the little pond and 
meadow around it, to land laid out to Mrs. Rogers, in right of her 
first husband, Thomas Barker. The part on the south side the 
Andover road is bounded east by Thomas Dickinson, by a line 
running near the five-mile pond ; south by a line running near the 
north side of Humphrey's pond ; west by land of Thomas Dorman, 
John Cummins, and Robert Stiles ; north by said Andover road. 

"To Thomas Dorman, John Cummins, and Robert Stiles, four 
hundred acres ; bounded east by land of William Stickneyand others; 
west by Andover line ; north by a highway which separates it from 
Mrs. Rogers' land, in part, and part by other people's land ; south with 
a line running straight from Andover line to a clump of trees on the 
north side of Humphrey's pond. These boundaries include a piece 
of meadow called Fry's meadow, before laid out to Mr. [Philip] 
Nelson. 

" To Francis Peabody, Joseph Bixbie, Abraham Redington, and 
William Foster, eight hundred acres ; bounded north by land of Dor- 
man, Cummins, and Stiles ; west by Andover line ; south by Wade's 
brook, &c. ; east by various lots of land. 

" To Mrs. Mary Rogers, as the right of her former husband, 
Thomas Barker, a thousand acres ; bounded east by the line of the 
three thousand acres, so called, of the town's land, and land of William 
Stickney and others ; north by meadow * laid out to the Heseltines 
and to Hadley ; west by John Johnson and others ; south by the high- 
way leading from Topsfield to Andover. 

" To John Johnson, sixty-seven acres ; bounded east by Mrs. 
Rogers, north by the Heseltine meadow. 

" To Charles Brown, sixty-seven acres ; bounded east by Johnson, 
north by Heseltine's meadow. 

" To Richard Wicom, sixty-seven acres ; bounded east by Brown, 
north by Heseltine's meadow, west by Andover line. 

" To John Spofford, sixty-seven acres ; bounded east by Wicom, 
west by Andover line. 

"To Richard Swan, in right of Michael Hopkinson, sixty-seven 
acres ; bounded by Andover line. 

"To Joseph Chaplin, in right of his father, Hugh Chaplin, sixty- 
seven acres ; bounded south-east by Hopkinson, west by Andover 
line. 

" To John Dresser, Sen., sixty-seven acres ; bounded south-east by 
Chaplin, west by Andover line. 

* This meadow, by the change of town lines, is now included within the 
boundaries of the town of Georgetown. 



44 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

"To Mr. [Philip] Nelson, two thousand acres ; bounded by Andover 
line on the south-west ; the line of the Merrimack land on the north- 
west, extending the last line to a marked tree at the south-west part of 
the Little pond, so called ; north-west, part by John Sandys' land ; 
south by John Dresser's land. This includes some meadow laid out 
to Joseph Jewett, with his land at the neck. 

" To John Trumble, seventy acres, adjoining Johnson's Pond." * 

The second lot — three thousand acres to the town of 
Rowley — comprised the western half of the present town 
of Georgetown. The following year, Rowley laid out a 
farm at the " Gravel le Plain, near the Bald Hills," in the 
three thousand acres. This farm was located upon what is 
now known as SpofTord's Hill in Georgetown. The farm 
was leased for twenty-one years to John Spofford, who 
came from Yorkshire, Eng., with Mr. Rogers' company in 
1638, and settled with them in Rowley, Mass., where he 
continued to reside until his removal to the farm, leased as 
above, in the spring of 1669. After the farm was laid out, 
and before it was leased, a clearing was made for a pasture 
on one of the hills, which was afterward known from this 
fact, probably, as Baldpate Hill. ' This removal of Mr. 
Spofford's was several miles into the almost unbroken 
wilderness. He was the first settler of Georgetown, and 
was, beyond all reasonable doubt, as Dr. Spofford truly 
says, the progenitor of all the name in New England, 
New York, Pennsylvania, and Canada. For the first five 
years he was to pay as rent, three hundred feet of white- 
oak plank ; and after that time ten pounds each year — 
one-half in English corn at price current, or Indian corn if 
he pleases ; the other half in "fat cattel or leane," at price 
current. This lease was assigned over to his sons John 
and Samuel, 16 March, 1676, and the rent reduced to eight 
pounds, and to be wholly remitted "duringe the time of 
the Indian wars," and it was extended by agreement three- 

* The above is a verbatim transcript from Gage's History of Rowley. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 45 

score years from the date thereof. At the expiration of 
the lease the farm reverted to the town. The northerly- 
part of the farm was then leased for nine hundred and 
ninety-nine years ; the southerly part continued to be let 
on seven-years' leases, till 185 1, in which year it was sold 
to Mr. Sewell Spofford. 

John Spofford m. Elizabeth , by whom he had the 

following children, viz. : 1. Elizabeth, 2 b. 15 Dec, 1646. 
2. John, 2 b. 24 Oct., 1648; m. Sarah Wheeler; lived on 
the old farm niany years, and died 22 April, 1696. 3. 
Thomas, 2 b. 4 Nov., 1650 ; m. Abigail Hagget, 22 Sept., 
1668. 4. Samuel, 2 b. 31 Jan., 1653; m. Sarah Burkbee ; 
lived on the old place, and d. 1 Jan., 1743, aged ninety-one 
years. [Samuel's 2 son Samuel 3 was the first of the name 
that settled in the present town of Boxford.] 5. Hannah, 2 
b. 1655. 6. Mary, 2 b. 1656. 7. Sarah, 2 b. 15 Jan., 1658; 
d. 15 Feb., 1660. 8. Sarah, 2 b. 24 March, 1662 ; m. Rich- 
ard Kimball. 7. Francis, 2 b. 24 Sept., 1665 ; m. Mary 
Leighton. 

Among the descendants of John Spofford are many 
prominent men of several generations, who have made 
themselves public benefactors, have bravely led on the field 
of battle, taught religion in the pulpit, and have practised 
the healing art with good success. The educators 
and the educated have been honored by their company. 
Among these we have room to mention but two or three, 
viz., Gen. Ira Spofford, Dr. Jeremiah Spofford, and Ains- 
worth R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress at the present 
time. 

This " three thousand acres " continued to be within the 
limits of Rowley Village until the incorporation of the 
town of Boxford in 1685, when the line between the two 
towns was settled nearly as it is at the present time, thus 
annexing the " three thousand acres " to Rowley. This was 
afterwards a part of New Rowley (Georgetown), and in 



46 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1838, April 21, was incorporated, with other lands, as 
Georgetown. The settlement of the " three thousand 
acres " was not continued till the beginning of the eigh- 
teenth century, when the southern part of the tract was 
rapidly taken up by new settlers, the common land in that 
section having been laid out in plots of five acres each, and 
known by the letters of the alphabet, A, B, C, D, E, &c. 



CHAPTER III. 

1665-1685. 

Church at Topsfield. — Rev. William Knight. — Rev. William 
Perkins. — First Meeting- House in Topsfield. — Rev. 
Thomas Gilbert. — Early Settlers, 1665-70. — Road from 
Topsfield to Haverhill laid out. — Pickard's Farm. — 
Election. — Military Matters. — Iron Works. — "Minis- 
ter's Farm." — Rev. Jeremiah Hobart. — Petitions. — In- 
dian War of i6js-7^>- — Village Officers. — Early Set- 
tlers, 1670-85. — Military Orders. — Church Affairs. — 
Rev. Joseph Capen. 



($sfos>s^® OPS FIELD was first settled in 1635. Preaching 
[mi was first carried on there in 1641, by Rev. 




William Knight, a resident of Ipswich, which 
town paid him for his services. Mr. Knight 
died, as is supposed, in 1655, as in that year Rev. William 
Perkins came hither from Gloucester to preach the gospel. 
Mr. Perkins had been the spiritual guide of the little band 
of worshippers then living in Weymouth, and removed to 
Gloucester in 1646, where he continued in the ministry 
from 1650, for five years, when he came to Topsfield to 
take charge of spiritual matters there. To his preaching 
the earliest settlers of Rowley Village (Boxford) listened 
from sabbath to sabbath, and received the true essence of 
piety and holiness of life. Far from being an Antinomian 
or a Liberalist, he preached, whether his audience bore or 
forbore, the truth in a manner that would make our minis- 
ters of to-day, who claim to be orthodox, hide their faces 

47 



48 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

for shame. It is said of him that he could pronounce the 
word "damn" with greater emphasis than any other man. 
Mr. Perkins was son of William Perkins, a merchant-tailor 
of London, Eng., where, by his wife Catharine, William 
was born, Aug. 25, 1607. In 1633 we find him associated 
with John Winthrop, jun., in the settlement of Ipswich. 
He was made a freeman in 1634. He married Elizabeth 
Wooton, at Roxbury, where he was then living, Aug. 30, 
1636, by whom he had several children. One of his 
daughters married a son of Gov. Bradstreet, and thus be- 
came the ancestor of him who is now penning these lines. 
In 1640 he revisited his native country, and after his re- 
turn removed to Weymouth, which town he represented in 
the General Court in 1644. He was the leader of a military 
company, and one of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery 
Company. It is not known that he was ever set apart 
for the work of the ministry by ordination, or that he was 
recognized by the ministers of his time as a fellow-laborer 
of equal standing and authority in the vineyard of the 
Lord. He preached in Topsfield until Mr. Gilbert was 
settled (in 1663), when Mr. Perkins turned farmer, and 
spent the remainder of his days in that pursuit.* He died 
in Topsfield, May 21, 1682. 

The meeting-house in which our first settlers worshipped 
stood near the residence of the late Sylvanus Wildes, Esq., 
near the Newburyport turnpike, in the east part of Tops- 
field. It was without a pulpit, but was probably a very 
good edifice for the times. In 1663 the church was gath- 
ered in Topsfield, and Rev. Thomas Gilbert invited to 
settle over it. This Mr. Gilbert agreed to do if those of 
Rowley Village would pay their share of his salary, &c. 
This the Villagers agreed to if the Topsfield people would 
move the meeting-house so as to be more convenient for 

* Babson's History of Gloucester, pp. 193-195 ; Cleaveland's Address, pp. 
33> 62. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 49 

them to attend divine service. The Topsfield people agreed 
to this, and accordingly moved the meeting-house into the 
south-east corner of what is now the cemetery, near the 
residence of Mr. Samuel Todd. 

Nov. 4, 1663, Rev. Mr. Gilbert was installed as pastor of 
the little church in Topsfield. Besides the Rowley Villagers, 
the settlers of Linebrook Parish, Ipswich, also attended 
church there. Mr. Gilbert, by birth a Scotchman, had 
been a clergyman of the Established Church at Chedlie 
and at Edling, in England. He was one of the two thou- 
sand clergyman who were ejected from their benefices by 
the Act of Uniformity in 1662 ; so that he came almost 
directly from an English vicarage or curacy to minister to 
the spiritual wants of the incipient church in Topsfield.* 

After the Village lands were laid out, several new settlers 
came here immediately, viz. : — 

Daniel Black, a Scotchman by birth, was in New 
England as early as 1660. The first we know of him is 
from the court records, where we find that: " 1660, Sept., 
Daniel Blake is fined £$, and respited for £4, condi- 
tionally, for making love to Edmund Bridges' daughter, 
without her parents' consent." This daughter was Faith 
Bridges, whom he afterwards married. In 1664 he com- 
plains of his wife. It does not appear that he owned 
land in Boxford ; he owned a small tract in Topsfield in 
1663. A Black family lived easterly of the residence of 
Benjamin S. Barnes, Esq., about a hundred and fifteen 
years ago, but the original settlement was probably near 
Fish Brook. He was probably employed by the iron com- 
pany here, as we find by the court records that he sued 
Henry Leonard for a debt of £$ 12 s. 10 d., and received 
satisfaction by the court at Ipswich, in September, 1673. 
The following births of his children are recorded : 1. Dan- 
iel, born 24 Aug., 1667. 2. Mehitable, b. 10 March, 167 1. 

* Cleaveland's Address, p. 33. 



50 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

3. John, b. 28 July, 1672. 4. Edmund, b. 6 Feb., 1674. 
He probably had another son, James, who married Abigail 
about 1700, and lived in Boxford, where his chil- 
dren and grandchildren also lived. This emigrant was 
poor, as the following extract from the town records of 
Boxford proves : — 

"The 12th of June in [i6]88 the Selact men of Boxford met to 
hear of the pooer & did order daniell Black Juner to help hif father af 
much af hee head need of in hay time & to give a Count of it to the 
Selact men." 

Daniel, the father, died Dec. 5, 168- Of the other 
children, except Daniel, we know nothing. Daniel was a 
weaver by trade, and married, first, Mary Cummings of 
Topsfield, July 14, 169- who died Dec. 16, 169- Then 
he married, secondly, Sarah Adams of York, Me., July 19, 
1695, and immediately removed to York, where he was 
living the following May. Of his circumstances there, or 
of his posterity, nothing is known. For forty-two pounds, 
while of York, he deeds to Daniel Wood, sen., of Boxford, 
May 28, 1696, sixty-two acres of upland and meadow lying 
in Boxford. Twenty-eight acres of this land was in the 
vicinity of Stetson's Pond, and the remaining thirty-four 
acres across the Andover road from this piece. No living, 
descendants of this emigrant are known to the writer. The 
name has been extinct in Boxford for a century. 

Moses Tyler, born in Andover, probably, in 1642, was 
undoubtedly son of Job and Mary Tyler of that place. He 
married in 1666, and probably settled here in that year. 
He lived where Capt. Enoch Wood now resides, a part of 
the present house being, tradition says, a part of the 
original mansion. His father's family, no doubt, settled 
here with Moses, as in the list of families in Rowley Village, 
in 1680, two Tyler families are named — "Old Goodman 
Tiler's," and " Moses Tiler's." Moses Tyler was made a 
freeman, October, 1690. He repeatedly served the town 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 51 

as selectman, committee-man, surveyor, &c. He was known 
as "Quartermaster" Tyler. He married, 6 July, 1666, 
Prudence, daughter of George and Dorothy Blake — early 
settlers of the town, She died 9 March, 1689. He was 
living in 1712. Their children were: 1. Moses, 2 born 16 
Feb., 1667. 2. John, 2 b. 14 Sept., 1669. 3. Joseph, 2 b. 18. 
Sept., 1671. 4. Ebenezer, 2 b. 17 Dec, 1673. 5. Job, 2 b. 16 
Dec, 1675. 6. Samuel, 2 b. 2 May, 1678. 7. Nathaniel, 2 b. 
14 Aug., 1680. 8. Joshua, 2 b. 4 July, 1688. Mr. Tyler 

married 2d, Martha , who was born in 1649, and died 

13 Feb., 1735, at the age of eighty-six years. Moses 2 m. 

1st, Sarah , by whom he had a son Jacob, born 9 

Jan., 1 69- He married 2d, Ruth Perley of Ipswich, 3 
Jan., 1693-94, who survived him, and died in Andover (?) 
10 May, 1738, aged sixty-two years. They removed just 
within the town of Andover about 1698 ; and he died, leav- 
ing several children, 11 Oct., 1732, aged sixty-five years. 
John 2 was a captain in the militia, which title he honorably 
bore to his death. He probably settled on the old home- 
stead, where his descendants have ever since resided. He 
married Anna Messenger of Boston, who was born in 1677, 
and died 1 1 Feb., 1745, aged sixty-nine years. Her husband 
survived her until 17 June, 1756, when he died at the age 
of eighty-seven years. A lineal descendant of the name, 
Miss Mercy Wood Tyler, aged eighty-six years, and her 
sister Mehitable (Mrs. Enoch Wood), now reside on the 
old place. Ebenezer 2 m. Elizabeth , who was born in 

1668, and died 9 April, 1745, aged seventy-seven years. 
He died 1 Dec, 1743. Their issue numbered eight, — 
several of whom resided in Boxford. Job 2 also resided 
here, and had by his wife Margaret several children. Tyler 
has always been a common name in Boxford, especially in 
the West Parish. 

John Kimball was an inhabitant of Boxford as early as 

1669, — his first child being born here that year. 24 Aug., 



52 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1665, Richard Hubbard, Gent., of Ipswich, confirmed to 
Richard Kimball of Wenham his farm in Rowley Village, 
which he purchased of Deacon William Goodhue, and the 
said Goodhue purchased of Robert and Nicholas Wallis, 
and which was confirmed to the Wallises by Joseph Bixby 
(who purchased it of Joseph Jewett of Rowley, the original 
owner), 1 July, 1661. On this land, probably, John Kim- 
ball settled. The remains of the cellar of his residence 
were unearthed a few years since near the residence of his 
descendant, the late Moses Kimball. He was undoubtedly 
son of Richard Kimball of Wenham, the owner of the land. 
John Kimball was made a freeman 22 March, 1689-90. 
He was styled " Corporal." He was a tax-collector for the 
Village in 1675, and the frequency with which we meet 
the name of " Corporal Kimball " upon the early records of 
Boxford proves that he was prominent in his adopted town. 
By his wife Sarah he had the following children, viz. : I. 
Sarah, 2 b. 19 Sept., 1669 ; m. William, son of William 
Foster — an early settler. 2. Mary, 2 b. 15 Jan., [671; m. 
Benjamin Kimball of Ipswich, 16 Jan., 1694-95. 3. Rich- 
ard, 2 * b. 28 Sept., 1673. 4. Abigail, 2 b. 29 April, 1677; 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Kimballs in Boxford 
from John's son Richard : — 

Richard 2 m. Hannah, dau. of Ephraim and Mary Dorraan of Topsfield, 
22 Feb., 1698-99. Their remains lie in the old cemetery near the residence 
of Mr. Walter French. He d. 22 April, 1753. She d. — March, 1748. 
Ch. : 1. Jacob, 3 b. 9 June, 1700; m. Sarah Hale, and settled in Boxford. 
2. Hannah, 3 b. 30 June, 1702 ; m. John Andrews, 3d. 3. Aaron, 3 b. 17 Jan., 
1704-05. 4. Amos, 3 b. 8 Sept., 1707 ; m. 1st, Margaret Hale ; 2d, widow 
Abigail Sessions of Andover. 5. Richard, 3 b. iS June, 1710; m. 1st, Mercy 
Kimball ; 2d, Elizabeth Seeton of Lunenburgh. 6. John, 3 b. 6 March, 1713; 
m. 1st, Sarah Barker of Andover; 2d, widow Hannah Andrews. 7. Mary, 3 
b. 10 Feb., 1715-16. 8. Moses, 3 b. 23 Aug., 171S ; m. Sarah Prichard. 9. 
Ephraim, 3 b. 11 April, 1721; m. Elizabeth . 

Deacon Aaron 3 m. 1st, Sarah Wood, (pub.) 13 May, 1733; m - 2< ^» widow 
Mehitable Kimball of Bradford, 7 Jan., 1767. He was deacon of the First 
Church. Ch. : 1. Lucy, 4 b. 30 April, 1734; m. Joseph Symonds of Middle- 
ton. 2. Sarah, 4 b. 3 Dec, 1736; m. Abraham Redington. 3. Rebecca, 4 b. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 53 

m. Jonathan. Foster, brother to her sister Sarah's husband. 
5. Elizabeth, 2 b. 28 Sept., 1679; d. 24 June, 1708. 6. 
Hannah, 2 b. 11 April, 1682 ; d. 15 Aug., 1709. 7. John, 2 * 

29 March, 1740; m. Moses Putnam of Danvers. 4. David, 4 b. 2 April, 
1743; m. Rebecca Flint of Danvers. 5. Samuel, 1 - bapt. 10 May, 1747. 

Samuel*m. 1st, Eunice Upton of Reading, (pub.) 16 May, 1782; m. 2d, 
Mrs. Mary Putnam (dau. of Gen. Mugford) of Marblehead, (pub.) 27 Dec, 
1799. She d. 28 April, 1847, aged seventy-nine years. Ch. : 1. Samuel, 5 b. 
4 Jan., 1801. 2. Mary, 5 b. 11 April, 1S02 ; d. unmarried, 20 May, 1868. 

Samuel* m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Sawyer of Boxford, 17 March, 
1831. Lives in Boxford. Ch. : 1. Sarah Elizabeth, 6 b. 2 March, 1832; 
m. Rev. David, son of William and Ellen Bremner, a native of Scotland, 
20 Sept., 1854. 2. Mary Ann, 5 b. 8 March, 1834 ; m. Jacob P., son of Dea. 
J. A. Palmer. 3. Samuel A., 6 b. 13 Nov , 1845 ; d. — July, 1864. 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Kimballs in Boxford 
from [ohn's son John : — 

John 2 m. Elizabeth Chapman, 5 Dec, 1700 (?) ; and d. 10 May, 1760, 
aged eighty years. Ch. : 1. Nathan* b. 18 Nov., 1706. 2. Sarah. 3 3. 
Hannah ; 3 m. Thomas Holt of Andover. 4. Mercy ; 3 m. Richard Kimball, 
jun. 5. Alice; 3 d. 14 June, 1751. 6. Mehitable; 3 m. Timothy Barker of 
Andover. 7. Elizabeth. 3 

Nathan 3 m. Sarah Goodridge, (pub.) 1 Nov., 1730 ; and d. 9 Dec, 1784, 
aged seventy-eight years. Ch. : 1. Sarah/ b. 10 Feb., 1731. 2. Hannah, 4 
b. 27 Sept., 1734; m. Asa Carleton of Andover, 6 Jan., 1757. 3. John, 4 b. 
18 Sept., 1737 ; d. 5 Dec, 1759. 4. Moses* b. 16 April, 1740. 5. Mehita- 
ble, 4 b. 29 Oct., 1742; d. 9 Jan., 1785. 6. Eunice, 4 b. 3 May, 1746; m. 
John Pearl. 7. Nathan, 4 b. 25 April, 1749; m. Mary Poor, 12 July, 1770; 
lived in Boxford, and had children. 8. Samuel, 4 b. 2 May, 1753 ; d. 30 
Dec, 1762. 

Moses * m. Rebecca Poor, who was born in Newbury 25 Dec, 1742. Mr. 
Kimball dying 16 or 18 Feb , 1795, she m - zd > J ohn R unnells of Bradford, 26 
Oct., 1797', and d. 3 Nov., 1821. Ch. : 1. Samuel, 5 b. 18 Jan., 1767; m. 
Susanna Kimball of Bradford ; lived in Boxford, and had children. 2. John 5 
b. 26 Sept., 1769. 3. Hannah, 5 b. 8 June, 1772. 4. Sophia, 5 b. 12 April, 1780. 
John s m. Ruth Eastman of Haverhill, N.H., (pub.) 17 Nov., 1792, who 
d. 8 July, 1S30, aged fifty-nine years. He d. 24 April, 1850. Ch. : 1. 
Almira, 6 b. 24 Oct., 1795 » d - m Byfield, 15 June, 1828. 2. Moses, b b. 8 Jan., 
179S. 3. Abigail Tyler, 6 b. 13 July, 1S01 ; m. George Pearl. 4. Rebecca 
Poor, 6 b. 15 Jan., 1S05. 5. Dorcas Foster, 6 b. 1 Nov., 1S08 ; d. 27 Nov., 
1829. 6. Horatio G., 6 b. 10 March, 1811; d. 4 April, 1S36. 7. Ruth, 6 b. 3 
Oct., 1813 ; d. 1 Jan., 1817. 8. Ruth, 6 b. 4 April, 1S18 ; d. 5. Sept., 1S34. 

Moses b m. Mary Stone, dau. of Rev. Peter Eaton, 20 Oct., 1833, who d. 
23 March, 1846. Mr. Kimball d. 8 June, 1879. Ch - : u Luc >' Stonc > 7 b - 2I 
June, 1S34. 



54 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

b. 7 Feb., 1685. His first wife dying, Corporal John 
Kimball m. 2d, Hannah Burton, 29 Oct., 170- who d. 
27 July, 1706. The date of his death is unknown. John 2 
and Richard 2 settled here, where their lineal descendants 
of the name still reside. Kimball is a name that has held 
a prominent position upon the records of our town ; and in 
other places where the name has been known, thrift, virtue, 
and education are also found. 

In March, 1668-69, a highway was laid out from Tops- 
field to Merrimac River, at Haverhill. This road is that 
which now leads from Mr. Samuel Todd's to S. D. Hood's 
residence, both in Topsfield, where it joined the " Old 
Andover Road " at the head of Prichard's Pond (then 
called Baker's Pond, because Baker owned the meadows 
near by on Pye Brook). It then followed in the " Old An- 
dover Road" till it came near Stetson's Pond, when it left 
the road, and, turning more northerly, passed on the east 
side of Stetson's Pond, and, continuing in the road now 
travelled past the residence of the late Capt. Aaron Spof- 
ford, so on the nearest way to Haverhill Bridge. The 
following is the record of the laying-out of this highway as 
recorded in Essex Registry of Deeds at Salem, Vol. VI., 
folio 305, Ipswich records : — 

"A return of the highway from Topffield to Haverell fferry. 

" Wee whofe names are under written being chofen by [the] refpec- 
tive Townes of Rowley Topffield [and] Rowley Village by merrimack 
To lay out a country high way betwixt Topffield and merrimack River, 
we have agreed & detarmyned, That from Topffield meeting houfe, 
along vnder the North East Syde of the Hill called bare Hill, along 
as the trees are marked, over the brooke by Ephraim Dormans 
Houfe, and so along the plaine, called the Pine plaine, trees being 
marked, to the end of Bakers Pond, and over the brooke at the pond 
end, by william Pritchetts houfe as the trees are marked, vnto the 
high way y l comes betweene Andover and Ipfwich and so along that 
High way, vntill we come near vnto a pond calle[d] ye five mile pond, 
and then turneing of to the right hand, as the trees are marked, vntill 
we come to the brooke called Hafelltines brooke, where they of Row- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 55 

ley Villiage, have made a bridge over it, neare the lower end of Robert 
Hafelltines meadow & foe along, as the high way now goeth to A 
place commonly called, the aptake, and at the top of that Hill leaveing 
the high way, that now is A little on the left hand, and soe as the trees 
are marked, to Johnfons Brooke, and over the brooke vntill it meet 
with the high way againe, as trees are marked, and so along that high 
way, to Robert Hafeltines, corner of his barne yard, and as the trees 
are marked on both sydes of the way, to Thomas Kimballs and soe 
along the high way to the fferry place, by Merrimack Riuer. This is 
our finall determination, This 16th of march 1668 or (69) 

" Samuel Brocklebanke, Ezekiell Northend, 

John Gould, Thomas Baker, 

Joseph Pike, John Griffing." 

When the Village lands were laid out in 1666, as we see 
by the second chapter, John Pickard of Rowley had a 
" farm " laid out to him in the north-easterly corner of the 
Village lands, lying south-easterly of Johnson's pond, and 
containing two hundred and fifty acres. Sept. 30, 1667, 
Pickard lets his "farm" to Edmond James of Rowley, 
agreeing* to "build and finish" a cellar twenty-four feet 
long, with a chimney in it, by the middle of the next April ; 
also, John Pickard is to build upon the land a dwelling- 
house twenty-four feet long and sixteen feet wide, and to 
" cover and finish the house and cellar," excepting the clay- 
work and underpinning, which James is to do. The house 
was to be finished by the middle of April, 1669. Pickard 
was also to build near the house a barn forty-six feet long 
and eleven feet stud, with " grate doors so that a loaden 
cart may conveniently goe in, and little dores soe as an 
unloaden cart may goe out thereof." He was also to 
" board or clapboard " the sides, ends, and roof of the barn ; 
James was to shingle and underpin the barn ; and the 
whole was to be finished before "wheat harvest" in 1669. 
These buildings were situated in the extreme north-western 

* See the agreement in Essex Registry of Deeds, at Salem, Vol. III., folio 
45, Ipswich records. 



56 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

corner of the present town of Georgetown. On searching, 
the old cellar might be identified. Regarding the lessee 
of this farm, little is known. From what we do know we 
should say that he resided here for several years, and in 
1679 let himself to Rev. Francis Dane of Andover, where 
he died 14 Sept., 1682, in Dane's service. In 1680, Mat- 
thew Perry with his family, consisting of wife and six chil- 
dren, came from Ipswich, and took up their residence on 
this farm. Pickard made his will Sept. 6, 1683. and in it 
he bequeaths this farm, valued at two hundred pounds, to 
his wife, and after her decease to his son Samuel. Perry 
lived on the farm till about 1690, when he removed to 
Bradford, and Jonah Perry was appointed administrator of 
his estate, March 31, 1697. Nov. 29, 1686, he purchased 
sixty-seven acres of land of Samuel Stickney and Samuel 
Dresser, lying in Boxford, which he exchanged, a few years 
later, with John Pickard, for one hundred acres lying north 
of Pickard's farm in Bradford, now in Groveland. Matthew 
Perry m. 27 March, 1665, Elizabeth, dau. of George Blake 
of Gloucester — afterwards an early settler of Boxford. 
Their children, born in Ipswich, were : 1. Matthew, 2 b. 16 
July, 1666; d. young. 2. Samuel, 2 b. 15 April, 1668. 3. 
John, 2 b. 15 Aug., 1669. 4. Waitstill, 2 b. and d. about 
1674. 5. Elizabeth, 2 b. 13 Dec, 1675. 6. Eliphalet, 2 b. 
— May, 1677. 7. Deborah, 2 b. 1 May, 1678. 8. Wil- 
liam, 2 b. 2 Aug., 1679. The following were born in Box- 
ford : 9. Matthew, 2 b. 1 May, 1681. 10. Ruth, 2 b. 15 
Aug., 1682. 11. Masille 2 (dau.), b. 15 April, 1684. 12. 
Dorothy, 2 b. 14 Feb., 1685. 

In the earlier colonial days the governor, deputy-governor, 
&c, were chosen in London by all the freemen of the Com- 
pany in the manner known as the "erection of hands." 
After transmitting the patent to New England, the gover- 
nor and other high officers were chosen by the freemen of 
the Colony. The Village freemen, each year until 1670, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 57 

made their annual tour to Boston to participate in the 
election, which was held upon the last Wednesday in every 
Easter term, which would vary from the 29th of April to 
the 2d of June. The General Court-Electory, as it was 
called, which consisted of the governor, deputy-governor, 
all the magistrates, and one or two deputies from each 
town, met at the place of meeting in Boston, on the day 
of election, to receive the votes of the freemen. The 
manner of voting was as follows : The voters entered the 
room at one door, and, in full sight of the Court-Electory, 
placed their votes (pieces of paper, after the style of the 
present day) upon a table, and then passed out at an oppo- 
site door. Those who could not be present sent their votes 
by proxies. The polls being closed, the governor counted 
the votes, and declared the result. The deputy-governor 
was chosen in the same way. The assistants were nomi- 
nated, one at a time, by the governor ; and at each nomina- 
tion the freemen voted for or against the election of the 
nominee. The affirmative votes were pieces of paper with 
some marks made upon them : the negatives were blank. 
After 1670, because of the growth of the colony, and the 
inconveniences arising therefrom, the old rule was changed, 
and the election was held in each town, and the result sent 
to the Court-Electory at Boston, who declared the aggregate 
result, after the manner of the present day.* The Village 

* In these elections, none but freemen could vote ; and to become a 
freeman one must belong to some Congregational church, and be of good 
standing ill society. But in 1664, and after, certificates from clergymen 
signifying them to be correct in doctrine and of good moral character were 
all that was necessary. This practice of making freemen was done away 
with before 1700. 

The following is a true copy of a freeman's oath, as it was printed in the 
Freeman'' s Oath, the first paper published in New England, in 1634 : — 

" I, , being by God's providence, an Inhabitant, and Freeman, 

within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, do freely acknowledge myself 
to be subject to the Government thereof : And therefore do here swear by 
the threat and dreadful name of the Ever-living God, that / will be true and 



58 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

freemen cast their votes at Rowley until the incorporation 
of Boxford in 1685. 

Every man of suitable age and proper qualifications, of 
the early settlers of New England, was required to enter 
the military ranks, and receive the instructions of the 
officers. Each town contained a company, who chose their 
own officers. Massachusetts was divided into three sec- 

faithfull to the same, and will accordingly yield assistance and support there- 
unto, with my person and estate, as in equity /am bound ; and will also truly 
endeavor to maintain and preserve all the liberties and priviledges thereof, 
submitting myself to the wholesome Lawes & Orders made and established 
by the same. And further, that /will not plot or practise any evill against 
it, or consent to any that shall do so ; but will timely discover and reveal the 
same to lawfull Authority now here established, for the speedy preventing 
thereof. 

" Moreover, /doe solemnly bind myself in the sight of God, that when I 
shal be called to give my voyce touching any such matter of this State, 
in which Freemen are to deal, / will give my vote and sufrage as I shall 
judge in mine own conscience may best conduce and tend to publike weal of 
the body. So help me God in the Lord Jesus Christ." 

Those persons who were not allowed, or who declined to become freemen, 
were styled residents, and not entitled to full civil privileges. They, with 
every other man above twenty years of age, having a residence of six months 
and not enfranchised, were made to take the following oath before the gov- 
ernor, deputy-governor, or the two next assistants : — 

" I do swear and call God to witness, that being now an inhabitant within 
the limits of this jurisdiction of Massachusetts, I do acknowledge myself 
lawfully subject to the authority and government here established ; and do 
accordingly submit my person, family, and estate to be protected, ordered, 
and governed by the laws and constitution thereof; and do faithfully promise 
to be from time to time obedient and conformable thereunto, and to the author- 
ity of the Governor and all other magistrates and their successors, and to all 
such laws, orders, sentences, and decrees, as now are or hereafter shall be 
lawfully made, decreed, and published by them or their successors, and I will 
always endeavor (as in duty I am bound) to advance the peace and welfare 
of this body politic, and I will to my best power and means seek to divert 
and prevent whatsoever may tend to the ruin or damage thereof, or of the 
Governor, Deputy Governor, or assistants, or any of their successors. And 
I will give speedy notice to them, or some of them, of any seditions, violent 
treachery, or other hurt or evil, which I shall know, hear, or vehemently 
suspect to be plotted or intended against them, or any of them, or against 
the said Commonwealth, or government established. So help me God." 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 59 

tions, and the soldiers of each of these sections composed 
a regiment. Essex and Norfolk counties, containing eleven 
companies, composed one of the regiments, which was 
commanded by Major Daniel Dennison of Ipswich. The 
following order of the General Court was early passed : — 

" Ordered, that all the souldiers belonging to the twenty-six bands 
in the Mattachusetts government shall be exercised and drilled eight 
daies in a yeare, and whosoever shall absent himself, except it were 
upon unavoidable occasions, shall pay 5J. for every daie's neglect." 

The eight days' training mentioned in the above order 
was to be all at one season. The Villagers trained in the 
Rowley company, which was commanded by Capt. Sebas- 
tian Brigham, an original settler of that town. But, Rowley 
totally disregarding the Villagers for several years, Major 
Dennison ordered them to train at Topsfield, which the 
Villagers gladly consented to, as Topsfield was much more 
convenient ; and many of the Villagers were chosen into 
military offices in the company. 

The " iron-works," which were an important business 
enterprise in the early settlement of the town of Boxford, 
were established by Henry Leonard of Lynn in 1669. 
Henry, with his brother James Leonard, emigrated to New 
England about 1640, and set up the first forge for the 
manufacture of iron in Plymouth Colony.* Leonard car- 
ried on the " works " here till the latter part of the winter 
of 1673-74, when he removed to Taunton, Mass., and after- 
wards to the State of New Jersey, and established the 
manufacture of iron in that State, f His three eldest sons, 
Samuel, Nathaniel, and Thomas, tarried here, and on the 

* These two brothers were engaged in making the first castings ever 
made in the United States. — Great Industries of the United States. 

t Henry, son of Thomas Leonard, was born in 161S, and by his wife 
Mary had the following children, all born in Lynn, probably : I. Samuel ; 
m. Sarah Brooks. 2. Nathaniel. 3. Thomas ; m. in Virginia. 4. Henry, 
b. 14 June, 1656; died — Sept., 1657. 5. Sarah, b. 26 June, 1663; m. 



60 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

6th of April, 1674, contracted with the owners of the iron- 
works to carry them on. After continuing a short time in 
the business, they followed their father to New Jersey, 
where numerous descendants are now living. 

John Vinton was undoubtedly the successor of the 
Leonards in the business. He was living here before 1677 
and after 1680. He also came from Lynn, but whether 
this was the emigrant or his son we cannot determine. 
The family were of French descent ; they having, as tradi- 
tion says, about the beginning of the seventeenth century, 
left the fair shores of France, for the sake of religion, and 
settled on the eastern coast of England, and subsequently 
removed to America, and settled in Lynn, Mass.* 

Shortly after 1680, the business came to an end. On 
Fish Brook, near the sawmill of the late Mr. Daniel 
Andrews, indentations and upheavals on the surface of the 
ground are said to mark the site of the iron-works. This is 
confirmed by the town records, which mention the " works " 
as situated in that vicinity ; and we have not the least 
doubt but that is the original site. The capital stock of 
the company was about a thousand pounds ; and by the 
Registry of Deeds we have ascertained the names of some 
of the stockholders, viz. : John Wildes of Topsfield con- 
firms to Thomas Baker of Topsfield, ^ of the iron-works, 
15 March, 1670-71. For forty-two pounds, Joseph Bixby 
of Rowley Village sells Jonathan Wade of Ipswich, ^ of 
the iron-works, 29 Oct., 1673. John Gould, sen., of Tops- 
field, owned y 1 ^, and in 1679 purchased of John Safford 
of Ipswich another ^g, which -^ he deeded to his sons John 
and Thomas in 1686. John Baker of Topsfield sold ^ in 

Throgsmorton. 6. Mary, 1). 13 Jan., 1666 ; d. — Aug., 1667. 7. Mary. S.John; 
m. A. Almy. The family is thought to have descended from the twelfth 
Lord Dacre. The Leonard English ancestors were among the most noted 
iron-manufacturers of the old country ; and the American ancestors of 
America's smelters. 

* See N. E. Gen. and Antiq. Register, Vol. VII., p. 164. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 6l 

1674. Thomas Perley confirms to Mr. John Ruck of Salem, 
30 : 10 m. : 1671, for sixty pounds sterling, "one sixteenth 
part of the Bloomery or Iron workes, newly erected in the 
bounds of Rowly viladg, with the sixteenth pt of all 
y e houseing, buildings, water workes, dams, water cources, 
lands, woods, timber, tools, instruments, with all y e stock of 
cole & provissions of every kind that now belongs to it," &c. 
A "minister's farm," so called, was laid out, probably, at 
about the same time as the Village lands were (1666 or 
1657). This farm was near, and perhaps included, the 
Dollof Place in the East Parish, situated on the " Old 
Andover Road." The income of this tract of land, on 
which a barn was afterwards erected, — which barn the 
town purchased of William Smith for fifteen pounds, 12 May, 
1727, — was to aid in supporting an orthodox minister 
when one was settled here : till then, the minister in Row- 
ley was to receive the income. July 2, 1669, Rowley 
ordered the Village people to pay their proportional part of 
the taxes (town taxes probably) ; which part was to be 
applied, first, to defraying the necessary expenses of the 
Village, and the residue to the improvement of the " minis- 
ter's farm." For many years after a church was formed 
here, we find that the town " raised " so much money in 
addition to the income of the "minister's farm" to pay the 
minister's salary. The farm was ultimately leased, May 7, 
1754, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, 
for ^456 8s. 8d. The interest arising from this amount 
assisted in supporting the ministry in the First Parish,* and 
in 1824 was incorporated with the First Parish fund. The 
Second Parish attempted to obtain a portion of this money ; 
but, as we are informed, some necessary records not being 
found, nothing could be legally claimed. 

May 20, 1667, the town of Rowley "voted that the Vil- 

* The terms, East and First Parish, and West and Second Parish, are 
used synonymously. 



62 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

lage people may pay one-half of their minister's rate where 
they ordinarily hear (Tops field), and the other half to the 
town minister of Rowley, till they have a minister of their 
own." Feb. 13, 1671-72, Rowley ordered "that the inhab- 
itants of the Village may have liberty to retain three-fourths 
of their minister's rate." If this fractional part was not 
enough to pay their part of the minister's salary at Tops- 
field, the remainder was made up among themselves. 
Thus, really, the Villagers were compelled to assist in 
paying the ministers of both towns. 

Mr. Gilbert's pastorate in Topsfield was far from being 
a smooth one. He had difficulties with his people, who 
sometimes arraigned him before the courts of law. In 
1666 he was brought before the court on a complaint of 
sedition.* In 1670 he was again arraigned on a charge of 
intemperance. This case was sadly disgraceful. He went 
into the pulpit in a disordered state, which he betrayed by 
the confusion of his thoughts, and the clipping of his words, 
and especially by forgetting the order of the exercises. 
First he prayed, then he sang, then prayed again, and again 
sang; and so might have gone on indefinitely, had not 
Isaac Cummings risen, and begged him to stop.f This 
twice-ejected minister died in Charlestown, in the year 
1673. 

* The testimony in this case shows that the language which he used, both 
in prayer and sermon, was certainly rather strong. We find such expres- 
sions as the following : " Christ Jesus should reign, in despite of all the 
Devil's kings, do what they would." "God hath deceived us. Wee looked 
for glorious days in England, Scotland, Ireland, for clays of reform ; but 
behold a crooked Providence hath crost our expectation. God hath befooled 
us all." He, in prayer, begged of God either to forgive the king this per- 
jury, or to give him repentance for it : " It is better to live here poore, and 
to live in the wilderness, being covenant-keepers, than to sit on the throne, 
and be covenant-breakers." He begged of God to convert the king and the 
royal family from their superstition and idolatry. What was the decision of 
the court in this case does not appear. He was probably let off easily. See 
Cleaveland's Address, p. 33, and Appendix, note vii. 

t Cleaveland's Address, Appendix, note vii. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 63 

In 1672 Rev. Jeremiah Hobart, son of Rev. Peter Ho- 
bart, first minister of Hingham, and a noted personage in 
Massachusetts, was ordained over the Topsfield church. 

5 March, 1671-72, Topsfield grants the Villagers liberty 
to build "a house to shelter there horfes in neere to ye 
meeting house where ye Selectmen and thay shall thinke 
fite or most Convinient and alfo a house to shelter them- 
felves in with a fier in it," as long as they attend the 
church there. In the fall of the next year (1673), a stone 
wall five or six feet high, and " three foote brod at the 
botom," was built around the meeting-house. On the 
south side the wall was twelve feet, and on the other 
three sides ten feet, from the meeting-house. Though an 
entrance is not mentioned in the record, it is supposable 
that there was one. Within this wall, at the south-east 
corner, a watch-house ten feet square was built, which was 
called in the beginning of the eighteenth century the " Old 
Meeting-House Fort." The Villagers were to lend aid in 
this work, and no doubt many weary days were spent in 
building the massive wall. The watch-house was also 
probably built with stone, — as we should judge from the 
dimensions, &c, given in the records, and not recorded 
here, — the wall forming a part of the south and west 
sides. Having in our minds the contemporary Indian 
hostilities, the watch-house tells its own use ; and probably 
many anxious hours were spent in the limited space 
enclosed within its four walls. 

For some reason, early in the year 1673, Abraham 
Redington and some others sent a petition to the General 
Court, asking for the dissolution of their connection with 
Topsfield, and praying to be annexed to Rowley. Others 
of the Village were strongly opposed to the movement, 
because of the convenience of the nearness of Topsfield ; 
and, not discerning any reason why the change should be 
made, sent the following petition to the General Court: — 



64 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

" To the Honorable General Court now sitting in Boston, this 7th 
of May, 1673. The Humble petition of divers well affected Inhabit- 
ants and House-holders of the Village commonly called Rowley 
Village. 

" Humbly shewcth. That whereas yor petitioners formerly pur- 
chased a tract of land of Joseph Jewett of Rowley, now deceased, on 
which we now dwell, wh. land was sold to us as village land, free 
from any engagement to the town of Rowley, ellse we had not 
purchased it ; * as also it lyeing nigh to the now town of Topsfield, 
whose inhabitants about ten or twelve years since, called Mr. Gilbert 
to be their minister ; he was unwilling to accept, unless we of the 
village Would engage to pay our shares in and to publiqe charges at 
Topsfield. Upon this, Abraham Redington, Joseph Biggsby, John 
Cumins, and the rest of us, being free as we apprehended, agreed to 
pay our proportions as our honest neighbours of Topsfield did, only 
provided they would remove or sett the meetinghouse so as it might 
stand convenient for us ; upon this a committy being appointed out 
of them and ourselves, agreed unanimously to set the meetinghouse 
toward the outside of Topsfield bounds to us ward, wh. was don, and 
now stands to our great conveniency, being allmost as near to us as 
to divers of Topsfield, viz. two or three miles, and our distance from 
Rowley is 7 or 8, if not nine miles, some of us. Farther, as to mili- 
tary matters, we were not regarded by Rowley for many years, but 
that service totally neglected, wh. the Major of the Regem 1 under- 
standing, sent his warrant to us to traine in Topsfield ; we obeyed, 
and that company and ourselves agreeing, some of us were chosen 
into office, mutually by both places, and were all as one town and 
company very loveingly agreeing. While such time as some of us, 
meditating other designs than we think were pretended thereby, as we 
conceive, broke the neck of Love and unity with our neighbors of 
Topsfield. Abraham Redington did put in some hands, we doe not 
say of boyes, and divers other persons, inconsiderable, to move this 
Honorble Court, to free us from Topsfield, and lay us to Rowley, to 
our great incumbrance and inconvenience every way, both to matters 
civile, ecclesiasticall, and military ; our condition is hereby rendered 
extremely burdensome, divers of our people are already joined to the 
church at Topsfield, and more may soon be if God please to move 
y r hearts, it being the only nigh place where we can hear and enjoy 
the solemn and publiqe worship on the Lord's dayesj what division 

* When these men bought this land, they supposed it was entirely free 
from any town authority, thinking that Jewett obtained it from the Colony. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 65 

this may in time produce, especially since the late law impowerlng 
none but persons in full communion to elect or have voice in electing 
church officers, &c, we cannot but, as our case stands, be afraide of. 
There being by this means a foundation layd for not only unpleasant 
variance, but future alienation with our Loveing brethen of that 
church. 

" This is our distracted and wronged case and condition, by reason 
of our breaking with Topsfield, wh. we doe tender to your Honorble 
selfes, for redress and cure, Humbly beseeching your Honors herein, 
that our poor village, being but sixteen familyes, incapable of calling a 
minister or maintaining one, and so far from other towns, and so nigh 
to Topsfield, may be layd thither and united to that towne, which will 
be for the great behoofe of them and us both, in respect to township 
and militia, as well as church, and minister's encouragement, all of us 
being hardly able to maintayne one able minister honorably, wee beg 
wee may be declared a free village from Rowley, as our deeds of our 
lands, and lines, and bounds, demonstrate. These privileges, granted 
by your worships, will, we trust, tend to the honor of God, peace and 
comfort of our neighbours, and benefit of ourselves, your poor peti- 
tioners. We leave ourselves herein to the mature consideration of 
this Court ; praying the only wise God to direct, council, and guide 
you in all things. Soe we remain your humble petitioners. 

" Robard Smith, 
Robard Stiles, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Edmon Briggss, 
John Ramdell." 

This petition was received by the Court, and the magis- 
trates agreed to an order of notice ; but the deputies did 
not consent. What further order was taken we are not 
informed. The Court probably came to the conclusion 
that the situation of the affairs here was best as they 
existed, and that it would be folly for them to interpose 
their authority. 

Regarding the military drill of the Villagers, Oct. 7, 1674, 
it was ordered by the General Court, " that the trayned 
souldjers of the place called Rowley Village shall forthwith 
list themselves, & performed duty in ordjnary traynings, 
either at Rovly or Topsfield, as shall svite best w lh their 



66 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

inclinations & occasions, which being don shall so continue 
vntill such time as the sajd village is setled with a minister, 
and hauc a sufficjent number to trayne among themselues 
& officers according to lawe appointed to excercise them." 
Taking advantage of the above liberty, the dissatisfied 
members of the Village trained with the Rowley company, 
and the others continued their practice with the company 
at Topsfield. 

Boxford being a central town, surrounded on all sides 
by numerous settlements, and lying several miles from the 
frontier-line, the depredations of the savages were foreign 
to its inhabitants ; but a period was now approaching, 
which threw the whole colony into greater excitement than 
had been experienced since the settlement of the country. 
The chapter of history that details the incidents of that 
season is filled with deeds of savage warfare and barbarity, 
which causes the reader to shudder as he dwells upon the 
melancholy doom of the helpless women and children who 
became the victims of the tomahawk and scalping-knife. 

The Indian War of 1675-76 — or Philip's War, as it is 
more commonly called — was the first service into which 
our soldiers were ordered. Rowley was ordered to furnish 
twelve men, and fit them out with "warm, thick clothing, 
and arms." One of these men was Joseph Bixby of the 
Village. They were impressed into service in November, 
1675, in the company of Capt. Samuel Brocklebank, whose 
melancholy fate, with most of his company, may be found 
in the history of the attack, near Sudbury, on the morning 
of April 21, 1676. Who were drafted from the Topsfield 
company has not come to our knowledge. Capt. Brockle- 
bank's company probably entered service at Narragansett, 
first of January, 1676 ; returned home shortly after, and, at 
the end of a week's stay, was sent out again, and stationed 
at Marlborough ; and when Capt. Brocklebank and most of 
his company went toward Sudbury to assist in making an 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 67 

attack upon the savages, Joseph Bixby and a few others 
remained behind to guard the garrison-house at Marlbor- 
ough, and thus escaped the terrible fate of their comrades. 
Eight out of the twelve who were drafted from the Rowley 
company, including Joseph Bixby, arrived home safe, and 
lived for many years to relate to their posterity the terrible 
incidents connected with the War of King Philip.* 

In the spring of 1676 the Indians made some depreda- 
tions at Andover and vicinity ; and it seemed, for a time, 
that the Village would be included in the dire list of 
assaulted settlements. 

Though the Village people attended church and trained 
at Topsfield, they had to attend town-meetings at Rowley. 
Tax-collectors were appointed by Rowley specially for the 
Village; of which, in 1675, we had no less than three, — 
William Foster, Joseph Peabody, and John Kimball. In 
1677 two were appointed, — Abraham Redington and John 

* King Philip, who was at first friendly to the whites, soon proved to be 
their most deadly foe. No doubt he had good reasons for becoming their 
enemy ; for the English, in their dealings with the Indians, had not always 
treated them justly. Bancroft says that Philip was "hurried into his rebel- 
lion." 

Before this, the whites had had no serious trouble with the Indians since 
the Pequot tribe were completely annihilated in 163S. We will not enter 
into detail, and therefore will only say that Philip, in 1674, got up a 
"national" conspiracy to destroy the English at one decisive blow. The 
English were informed of the plot by an Indian preacher, for which he was 
murdered by some Indians, who were arrested, tried, condemned, and exe- 
cuted. This enraged Philip more than ever ; and he, with the assistance of 
some of the neighboring tribes, immediately commenced his work of burning, 
murdering, and other cruelties. After the attacks on the towns of Swanzcy 
and Mendon, the spirit of the English was fully aroused. The Indians were 
becoming bolder and more savage in their depredations ; and every settle- 
ment was in danger of becoming the scene of a bloody battle, and a prey to 
the murderous hands of the savages. 

The scenes during the fall of 1675 were mostly confined to the limits of 
Worcester County. The people were harvesting their crops, and every hour 
of time and every sheaf of grain were needed for the long winter close at 
hand. This period is thus described by the historian : " The laborer in the 



68 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Feabody. Tithing-men, or men to see that the sabbath 
was well kept, were also chosen by the town, agreeable to 
an Act of the General Court, passed May 23, 1677. In 
that year two tithing-men were appointed for the Village, 
— John Peabody and William Foster; in 1680, two, — 
Joseph Bixby and William Foster. In 1680 a list of the 
families in the Village was made out, viz. : " Goodman 
Black, Moses Tiler, Old Goodman Tiler, Robert Ames, 
Goodman Perry, John Kimball, Joseph Bigsbee, William 
Foster, John Peabody, Goodman Stiles, Goodman Bossell, 
Goodman Redington, Daniel Wood, Joseph Pebody, Josiah 
Bridges, Daniel Black, John Vinton, Samuel Simons, 
Widow Andrews, Thomas Andrews, Robert Smith, Zach- 
eus Curtvout, sen., Zacheus Curtvout, jun., John Ramsdell, 
and After Carry." In this list the families number twenty- 
five ; and by the petition sent to the General Court in 1673, 
signed by Robert Smith and others, we learn that there 

field, the reapers as they went forth to harvest, men as they went to mill, 
the shepherd-boy among the sheep, were shot down by the skulking foes, 
whose approach was invisible. The mother, if left alone in the house, feared 
the tomahawk for herself and children. On the sudden attack, the father 
would fly with one child, the mother with another, and perhaps only one 
escape. The village cavalcade on its way to meeting on Sundays, in files on 
horseback, the farmer holding the bridle in one hand and a child in the 
other, his wife seated upon a pillion behind him — it may be, with a child in 
her lap, — as was the custom of those days, could not proceed safely — bul- 
lets would come whizzing by them. The Indians hung upon the skirts of the 
English villages like the lightning upon the edge of the clouds." 

The depredations of the savages during the winter of 1675 and the spring 
of 1676 were almost innumerable. Many were the towns that had experi- 
enced more or less the effects of this disastrous period ; and Drake says : 
" Few there were who were not in mourning for some near kindred." 

After the battle at Sudbury, the spirits of the hostile Indians began to 
decline, and they were considered as nearly subdued ; and the death of their 
famous chief, King Philip, who was shot at Mount Hope, in Bristol, R.I., 
Aug. 12, 1676, clearly decided their fate ; doubts were no longer entertained 
of their appearing formidable. The war continued for a time in the province 
of Maine, but at length it ceased. The chiefs came and submitted them- 
selves to the English, and a permanent treaty was established. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 69 

were sixteen families in the Village that year, which shows 
an increase of nine families in the seven intermediate years. 
About this time several new settlers came, viz. : — 
Joseph Peabody, brother of Capt. John Peabody who 
had already settled here, was born in 1644, and settled on 
Fish Brook about 167 1. His house stood near the resi- 
dence of the late Mr. Daniel Andrews. The land on 
which he settled was his father's (Lieut. Francis Pea- 
body), it being a part of the twelve hundred acres laid 
out to six of the early settlers. He was made a freeman 
October, 1690. After serving the town as selectman for 
several years, he died in 1721, at the age of seventy-seven 
years. His wife was Bethiah, daughter of Edmund 
Bridges, whom he married Oct. 26, 1668. Their children 
were: 1. Joseph, 2 b. 16 April, 1671. 2. Jonathan. 2 3. 
Sarah, 2 b. 4 Sept., 1676; m. Benjamin Smith, 22 May, 
1700. 4. Samuel, 2 b. 8 April, 1678; settled in Andover. 
5. Bethiah, 2 b. 8 April, 1681. 6. Lydia, 2 b. 4 Feb., 1683 5 
m. Jacob Perley, 9 May, 1709. 7. Alice, 2 b. 4 Jan., 1685 ; 

m. Thomas Holt of Andover. Joseph 2 m. Mary , 

was several years a selectman, and died in 171 5, leaving 
eight children : three of his sons settled in Middleton, and 
one — Joseph — in Boxford. Jonathan 2 also lived in Box- 
ford, where his posterity resided for several generations. 
Among the descendants of this settler we would especially 
mention Andrew Preston Peabody, who graduated at Har- 
vard College, 1826; a noted minister in Portsmouth, N.H. ; 
editor of The North-American Reviezv from 1853 to 1863 ; 
Plummer Professor of Christian Morals, and Preacher to 
Harvarcf University, i860; and LL. D. at Rochester Uni- 
versity, 1863. 

John Ramsdell was undoubtedly from Lynn. He 
married Elizabeth Perkins of Topsfield, 31 May, 1671, 
about which time he first appears in the Village. He was 
perhaps interested in the iron-works, and came from Lynn 



70 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

with Henry Leonard, to assist him in carrying the works 
on. His daughter Mary was of Boxford, 1694; but of the 
parents and the rest of the family nothing further is known 
to the writer. A John Ramsdell was taxed here in 171 1, 
and a Timothy Ramsdell from 171 1 to 1723. The children 
of this settler were: 1. Elizabeth, 2 b. 4 Oct., 1672. 2. 
Mary, 2 b. 27 Jan., 1674; m. Ephraim, son of Robert Smith 
of Boxford, 6 Sept., 1694. 3. Priscilla, 2 b. 20 Aug., 1677. 
4. John, 2 b. 19 Jan., 1679. 

Edmund Bridges was living here in 1673. Whether 
this was the emigrant, or his son, we do not know. 

Josiah Bridges, son of Edmund Bridges, the emigrant 
from England, was born about 1650, and married, 1st, 
Elizabeth Norton, 13 Nov., 1676; and, 2d, Ruth Greenslip, 
19 Sept., 1677. He lived first in Ipswich, and before 1680 
removed to Boxford. He was living here as late as I7°4> 
and a Josiah Bridges was taxed here in 171 1. He was a 
surveyor in 1695, a juror of trials in 1699, and selectman 
1700, 1704. His children were: 1. Josiah, 2 b. 29 May, 
1680. 2. Anne, 2 b. 14 April, 1684. 3. Edmund. 2 4. 
Mercy. 2 5. Hepzibah. 2 Edmund 2 m. Esther Wheeler of 
Beverly, 28 Dec, 17 10; resided in Boxford, and had three 
children. He was living here in 17 16, and was the last 
resident of the name. 

Samuel Buswell, from Salisbury, was born in 1628 ; 
m. Sarah Keies, 8 July, 1656, and had the following chil- 
dren born in Salisbury : Isaac, b. 6 : 6 : 1657. John, b. 7 : 
8 : 1659. Samuel, b. 25 : 3 : 1662 ; lived in Boxford. Wil- 
liam, b. 5 : 6 : 1664 ; d. 21 June, 1699. Robert, b. 8 : 12 : 
1666; m. Hannah Tyler, 9 Dec, 1697; lived in Andover. 
James, b. 20 : 1 : 1668-69. Between the last-mentioned 
date and 1674 he must have removed to the Village, as 
lie had a son Joseph born here 20 Aug., 1674. A daughter 
Mary was also born here 1 June, 1677. After 1686, when 
a highway was laid out from his house to the main-road 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 71 

that led to Topsfield, his name is not found on the records. 
His son John was a fence-viewer and surveyor in 1689. 
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Stiles of the 
Village, and had three children born here. One of these 
was a son John, who was born in 1703-04, married, lived, 
and had two children born, in Boxford. This was the last 
family of the name that resided here : the name has been 
extinct for a century. 

Daniel Wood, probably son of Thomas Wood of Row- 
ley, married and settled in the Village about 1675, his first 
child being born here that year. At different times he 
purchased several tracts of land situated on both sides of 
the highway in the vicinity of the Stetson place. It is sup- 
posed that the house that occupied the site of the present 
Stetson house was built by Mr. Wood, and by him and 
his descendants occupied until 181 5, when, in the terrific 
gale in September of that year, it was blown clown. The 
place was sold to Seth Stetson from Hanover, Mass., who, 
in 18 18, erected the present dwelling. Mr. Wood was 
made a freeman October, 1690. This settler stands at the 
head of a long, worthy, and interesting line of descendants, 
many of whom resided here, and some are with us even 
now, still retaining the mental vigor, virtue, and position 
of their fathers. Mr. Wood was a deacon of the First 
Church, and was living as late as 171 8, but the date of his 
death is not recorded. He married, about 1674, Sarah 
Andrews, — daughter of Robert Andrews of the Village, 
then deceased, — who died 27 Sept., 1714, aged fifty-seven 
years. Her remains, and his also probably, lie in the old 
cemetery in the East Parish. Her gravestone is the oldest 
remaining one in the town. Their children were : I. Dan- 
iel, 2 b. I^JJ.' j 1675; d. 1 June, 1697. 2. David, 2 * b. 18 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Wood residents of 
Boxford from Daniel's son David : — 

David" was a doctor and a justice of the peace. He m. Mary , 



72 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Feb., 1677. 3. John, 2 b. 25 March, 1680. 4. Abigail, 2 b. 
3 Oct., 1684; d. 25 July, 168- 5. Huldah 2 (or Mary), 
b. 23 May, 1687. 6. Mercy, 2 b. 21 Sept., 1689. 7. Jacob, 2 
b. 22 Aug., 1691. 8. Sarah, 2 b. 16 April, 1698. John 2 
married Ruth, daughter of Capt. John Peabody of the 
Village, and lived to be seventy-eight years old. His 
wife died at the age of seventy-four years. Among their 
children was Hon. Aaron Wood, a man of no little conse- 
quence in the history of the town. David, 2 of whom we 
shall speak hereafter, was a dpctor, a cider-manufacturer, 
and extensive farmer, and probably settled on the old place. 
Jacob 2 had numerous descendants, most of whom were 
citizens of Boxford. 

Arthur Cary was living here before 1677. Nothing is 
known of his previous history. By his wife Sarah, who 
was from Ipswich; he had several children, of whom the 
following births are recorded on the town records, viz. : 1. 

nah (dau.), 2 b. 8 Jan., 1702-03. 2. John, 2 b. 5 Oct., 

1705. 3. Keziah, 2 b. 7 April, 17 — . 4. Stephen, 2 b. 6 
Oct., 1 7 1- Elizabeth Cary, another child, probably, of 
this settler, was baptized in the First Church, 19 July, 
1703. Elizabeth Cary, probably the same person of whom 
we have just spoken, married Samuel Stiles of Boxford, 2 
May, 1 70- " Goodwife Cary" was baptized in the First 
Church, 31 March, 1706. In 1691 the town voted not to 
tax him. In 1703 his wife asked alms of the selectmen, 
who immediately warned her " to depart out of the town, 

about 1701 ; and died 30 Aug., 1744. Ch. : I. Mary, 3 b. 23 Sept., 1702; d. 11 
May, 1712. 2. Daniel? b. 22 Jan., 1705-06. 3. Sarah, 3 b. 10 Oct., 1707. 4. 
David, 3 b. 19 Nov., 1709; d. 5 March, 1785. 5. Hannah, 3 b. 21 Nov., 1711 ; 
m. Joshua Andrews, 2 Dec, 1731. 6. Jonathan? b. 6 Dec, 1713. 7. Sam- 
uel, 3 b. 4 June, 1724 ; removed to Union, Conn., previous to 1750. 

Daniel 3 m. Sarah Peabody, 8 March, 1730-31 ; and d. 31 March, 1746. 
Ch. : 1. Sarah, 4 b. 29 Jan., 1731-32; d. 19 April, 17S8. 2. Joseph, 4 b. 29 
March, 1734; d. 7 May, 1801. 3. Deborah, 4 b. 12 Nov., 1736; d. 1767. 4. 
Daniel, 4 b. 13 July, 1739; d. 27 June, 1819. 5. Lemuel? b. 25 Oct., 1741. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 7$ 

... to the place of her former residence [Ipswich], the 
selectmen not allowing her to reside in our town." Moses 
Tyler, the constable at the time, 22 Oct., 1703, warned her 
to leave the town ; but it seems she still remained here for 
some years after. Perhaps Ipswich assisted her where she 
was. In the warrants she is called " a poor body." Any 
thing further concerning this family is unknown to the 
writer. 

George Blake — or Black, as it is frequently written on 
the old records — came from Gloucester to Boxford about 
1675. He was born in i6n,made a freeman 1651, and 
died Feb. 17, 1698, aged eighty-seven years. His wife 
Dorothy survived him till Dec. 12, 1702, when she died. 
He was at first well-off ; but became so poor that the town 

6.. Rebecca, 4 b. 26 Feb., 1743-44. 7. Frances, 4 b. 2 July, 1746; d. 27 
March, 1790. 

Jonathan* m. Sarah Redington ; and d. 19 June, 1781. She d. 11 Sept., 
1775, aged 50 years. Ch. : I. David, 4 b. 13 Nov., 174S. 2. Jonathan* b. 
14 Sept., 1751. 3. Eliphalet, 4 b. 4 June, 1754. 4. Sarah, 4 b. 27 Aug., 1757. 
5. Enoch, 4 b. 21 Oct., 1759. 6. Abner, 4 b. 12 Dec, 1761. 7. Mary, 4 b. 29 
Sept., 1764; d. 1 Feb., 1795. 8. Lucy, 4 b. 30 May, 1766. 

Leimiel 1 - m. Frances Tyler, 21 March, 1782 ; and d. 1 July, 1819. Ch. : 1. 
Lemuel, s b. 29 April, 1783. 2. Fanny Tyler, 5 b. 10 Dec, 1784. 3. Char- 
lotte, 5 b. 25 Dec, 1786. 4. Mary Chadwick, s b. 22 July, 1789. 5. Aaron, 5 
b. 2 Jan., 1791 ; d. 24 Oct., 1794. 6. Daniel? b. 10 Feb., 1793. 7. Aaron, 5 
b. 27 Oct., 1797. 

Deacon Jonathan 4 m. Abigail Hale of Brookfield, I Feb., 1787 ; and d. 3 
Jan., 1797. Ch. : 1. William Hale, 5 b. 27 Feb., 1789. 2. Abigail, 5 b. 20 
June, 1790 ; m. Samuel, father of Judge Samuel Peabody. 3. Sarah Red- 
ington, 5 b. 12 Sept., 1792; m. Col. Charles Peabody. 4. David 5 and 5. 
Jonathan 5 (twins), b. 9 Aug., 1794; David 5 d. 3 Dec, 1873. 6. Enoch? b. 
20 Jan., 1797. 

Daniel 1 m. 1st, Maria Barker, 12 Oct., 1820. He m. 2d, Abigail Tyler, 
who d. 27 April, 1S79. Lives in the West Parish, at the age of eighty-six 
years. Ch. : 1. William Hale. 6 

Enoch 6 m. Mehitable, dau. of John Tyler of Boxford, 25 Sept., 1828. A 
sea-captain from Salem port in early life. Lives in the West Parish, at the 
age of eighty-two years. Ch. : 1. Rebecca Tyler, 6 b. 26 Jan., 1830. 2. John 
Tyler, 6 b. 21 April, 1S31. 3. Enoch Franklin, 6 b. 17 Oct., 1832; a teacher 
in the Quincy City-School, Boston. 



74 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

voted, in 1691, not to tax him. See Babson's History of 
Gloucester. Their children were : 1. Rebecca, b. in 1641 ; 
m. Robert Eames. 2. Deborah. 3. Prudence, b. 1647 ; m. 
Moses Tyler. 4. Elizabeth, b. 1650; m. Matthew Perry. 
5. Mary, b. 1652 ; m. Zaccheus Curtis. 6. Thomas, b. 9 
June, 1658; d. 25 June, 1658. 7. Ruth, b. 3 Sept., 1659. 
He had no descendants of his name. 

Thomas Perley, born in 1641, was son of Allan and 
Susanna (Bokeson) Perley, emigrants from England. He 
first appears in Boxford about 1684, having removed from 
Rowley. He probably settled where the late residence of 
Mr. Isaac Hale, deceased, now stands. Most of the land 
in that vicinity was in his possession, and a portion of 
it is still owned by lineal descendants. He was an influ- 
ential man, filling most of the town offices with credit, 
and was chosen as one of the early representatives to the 
General Court. He was made a freeman 23 May, 1677. 
He married Lydia Peabody — sister of Capt. John Pea- 
body of the Village — 8 July, 1667; and died Sept. 24, 
1709. Their children were: 1. Thomas, 2 * b. 1668. 2. 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Perley residents of 
Boxford from Thomas' son Thomas : — 

Thomas" m. 1st, Sarah, dau. of Capt. John Osgood of Andover, 1695, 
who d. 23 Sept., 1724. He m. 2d, Elizabeth, mother of Gen. Israel Putnam, 
15 May, 1727. Gen. Putnam was at this time about eight years of age: he 
probably spent some of the years of his minority in his step-father's home 
at the Hale place. Capt. Thomas Perley died in 1745. Ch. : 1. Lydia, 3 b 
21 June, 1696. 2. Mary, 3 b. 16 May, 1697 ; m. John Baker, Esq., of Ipswich 
3. Hepzibah, 3 b. 14 Aug., 1699; m. Thomas Redington of Boxford. 4 
Moses, 3 b. 11 Dec, 1701 ; d. 9 Nov., 1702. . 5. Sarah, 3 b. 2 Oct., 1703 ; m 
Dean Robinson of Andover. 6. Thomas 3 b. 22 Feb., 1704-05. 7. Mehita 
ble, 3 b. 26 June, 170S ; d. 14 Oct., 1723. 8. Rebecca, 3 b. 28 Oct., 17 10; m 
David Putnam of Salem. 9. Allen, 3 b. 14 April, 17 14. 10. Asa, 3 b. 10 
Oct., 1716. 11. Margaret, 3 b. 23 Nov., 1719. 

Thomas 3 m. Eunice Putnam — sister of Gen. Israel Putnam — 20 Sept., 
1731, who d. 2 Feb., 1787, aged seventy-six years. He d. 28 Sept., 1795. 
Ch. : 1. Huldah, 4 b. 13 Feb., 1731-32; m. Joshua Cleaves of Beverly. 2. 
Rebecca, 4 b. 12 Jan., 1733-34 ; d. unm., 22 Aug., 1S13. 3. Israel, 4 b. 2 July, 
173S; 111. Elizabeth Moores ; settled on the St. John River N.B. 4. Mary, 4 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 75 

Jacob, 2 * b. 1670. 3. Lydia, 2 b. 1672. 5. Mary. 2 5. 
Hepzibah. 2 This settler is the ancestor of the majority of 
the Perley family. His descendants have been prominently 

b. 4 June, 1 74 1 ; m. John Peabody of Boxford. 5. Oliver, 4 b. 30 July, 1743 ; 
settled on the St. John River, N.B. 6. Thomas, 4 b. 19 June, 1746 ; m. 
Sarah Wood of Boxford ; d. 20 April, 1831 ; no issue : he was a distin- 
guished man in the town, and erected and resided in the house of the late 
William E. Killam. 7. Enoch, 4 b. 19 May, 1749 ; m. Anna Flint of Middle- 
ton ; was one of the first settlers of Bridgton, Me. 8. Aaron* b. iS Sept., 

1755- 

Major Asa 3 m. 1st, Susannah Low of Essex, 31 Jan., 1737-38, who d. 15 
Jan., 1762. He m. 2d, Apphia Porter of Danvers, 12 Aug., 1762, who d. 28 
Dec, 1780. He m. 3d, Ruth Kimball, who d. 24 April, 1806. Major Asa 
Perley was a member of the Provincial Congress. He d. 10 April, 1S06. 
Lived at the residence of the late Mr. Isaac Hale. Ch. : 1. Dudley, 4 b. 23 
Nov., 173S ; m. Hannah Hale of Boxford; lived in Winchendon, Mass. 2. 
Asa, 4 b. 13 Dec, 1740; settled in N.B. 3. Eliphalet, 4 b. 27 Aug., 1742; d. 
young. 4. Susannah, 4 b. 13 June, 1744 ; m. Asa Peabody of Londonderry. 
5. Allen, 4 b. n May, 1746; d. young. 6. Eliphalet, 4 b. 22 Nov., 1747; m. 
Anna Porter. 7. Allen, 4 b. 9 June, 1750 ; m. Judith Case. 8. Daniel, 4 b. 
24 Sept., 1752 ; m. Rebecca Porter of Boxford. 9. Henry* b. 17 Feb., 1755. 
10. Samuel, 4 b. 15 Sept., 1757; m. Phebe Dresser of Rowley: father of 
Hon. Ira Perley. 11. Solomon, 4 b. 25 Feb., 1760 ; settled in N.B. 

Aaron" m. Mehitable, dau. of Thomas and Margaret (Perkins) Wood of 
Boxford, 27 June, 1786, who d. 15 March, 1853, aged ninety-one years. He 
d. 10 Dec, 1831. Ch. : 1. Mary, 5 b. 10 Oct., 1786 ; m. Artemas Peabody 
of Boxford. 2. John, 5 b. 26 May, 1788; m. 1st, Sally Kimball ; 2d, widow 
of his brother Israel. 3. Israel, 5 b. 27 March, 1790; m. Asenath Gould of 
Boxford. 4. Enoch, 5 b. 1792 ; d. 20 Feb., 1795. 5. Asa, 5 b. 27 June, 1793 ; 
d. num., in insane-hospital, Charlestown, 12 Sept., 1845. 6. Enoch, 5 b. 4 
Feb., 1795 ; d. 24 May, 1S14. 7. Thomas, 5 b. 29 Feb., 1797 ; d. unm, 18 
Jan., 1S56. 8. Rebecca, 5 b. 21 April, 1799; lives in Boxford, unm. 9. 



* The following is the line of descent of the present Perley residents of 
Boxford from Thomas' son Jacob : — 

Jacob 2 m. 1st, Lydia, dau. of Capt. John Peabody of Boxford, 3 Dec, 
1696. He m. 2(1, Lydia, dau. of Joseph Peabody of Boxford, 9 May, 1709, 
who d. 30 April, 1732. He m. 3d, widow Mehitable Brown of Rowley, 
(pub.) 24 June, 1733. Ch. : 1. Lydia, 3 b. 5 Oct., 1697 ; m. Peter Avers of 
Haverhill. 2. Jacob, 3 b. 19 Sept., 1700; m. Sarah Morse of Newbury. 3. 
Nathan, 3 b. 17 Nov, 1703 ; m. Lydia Hale of Boxford. 4. Francis,' b. 28 
Jan., 1705-06 ; m. Huldah, sister of Gen. Israel Putnam : father of Capt. 
William Perley. 5. Moses 3 b. 1709. 6. Isaac, 3 b. 14 Feb., 1711-12. 7. 
Hannah, 3 b. 28 Oct., 1716; m. Stephen Kimball of Bradford. 



76 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

before the world, holding most offices of trust and honor ; 
teachers of morals, religion, and science ; practitioners of 
the law, &c. Among them we would mention Hon. Ira 

Harriet, 5 b. 14 May, 1803; m. William N. Cleaveland, Esq.; d. 23 Jan., 
1879. IO - Huldah, 5 b. 22 May, 1805 ' c '- ^43- 

Henry* m. 1st, Eunice, dau. of John and Mary (Kimball) Hood of Tops- 
field, 27 Oct., 1 78 1, who d. 11 Oct., 1790. He m. 2d, Mehitable Peabody, 
30 Oct., 1799, who d. 28 Oct., 1844, aged eighty-one years. He d. 6 Feb., 
1S3S. Ch. : 1. Eunice, 5 b. 14 April, 1782; m. Daniel Dresser of Bangor, 
Me. 2. Henry 5 h. 14 Oct., 1784. 3. Susannah, 5 b. 16 March, 1788; d. 23 
Nov., 1791. 4. Samuel, 5 b. 9 Oct., 1790. 5. Leonard, 5 b. 2 July, 1800; m. 
Mary Wells ; lived in Boxford. 

Henry 5 m. Hannah, dau. of Solomon and Phebe (Perley) Wood, — Nov., 
1S0S, who d. — Jan., 1S37, aged fifty-two years. He d. 13 Nov., 1S41. Ch. : 
1. A!l>ert, b h. 11 Oct., 1809. 2. Charles, 6 b. 13 April, 1811 ; m. Lizzie Jane 
Herrick of Boxford. 3. Harriet A., 6 b. 17 Jan., 1S14; m. Dean Andrews of 
Boxford. 4. Phebe, 6 b. 25 Feb., 1S17 ; m. Moses Dorman, Esq., of Boxford. 
5. Henry E., 6 b. 19 Feb., 1819; m. Lydia L. Gould. 6. Catherine, 6 b. 26 
March, 1S21 ; m. Henry Long of Topsfield. 7. Osmore, 6 b. 25 Dec, 1825; 
m. Martha ; d. 20 Feb., 1878. 8. Hannah E., 6 b. 9 Feb., 1828. 

Major Samuel 5 m. Nancy Peabody, 9 May, 1816, who d. 24 Aug., 1S51, 
aged sixty years. He d. 1 June, 1874, aged eighty-three years. Ch. : 1. 
George 6 b. 5 June, 1S17. 2. Sarah Peabody, 6 b. 13 Sept., 1819. 3. Lucy 
Ann, 6 b. 3 Jan., 1827. 

Albert b m. Hannah Hayward, 23 Jan., 1840; and d. 21 Feb., 1S76. Ch. : 

1. Catherine, 7 b. 17 Nov., 1S40; m. Buckley. 2. Mary E., 7 b. 4 Sept., 

1S42 ; m. Asahel Todd. 3. Josephine, 7 b. 28 Dec, 1S43 '■> m - A. Austin 
Lake. 4. Albert E., 7 b. 8 June, 1845; d. 21 April, 1877. 5. Jennie, 7 b. 1 
Sept., 1849; m. George A. Wilkins. 6. Samuel, 7 b. 22 Oct., 1851 ; m. Lucy 
Gurley. 7. Charles 7 and 8. Henry 7 (twins), b. 16 Oct., 1854. 

George 6 m. Mary P. Johnson, 4 March, 1845. Ch.: 1. Mary Ellen, 7 b. 
24 Jan., 1846. 



Moses 3 m. Hannah, dau. of Nathan and Sarah (Bridges) Frye of Andover, 
7 Feb., 1740, who d. 1 Nov., 1793, a g e d seventy years. He d. 23 Oct., 1793. 
Ch. : 1. Lydia, 4 b. iS May, 1741 ; m. John Perley of Rowley. 2. Moses, 4 b. 
24 Jan., 1743; d. mini., in the Revolution. 3. Hannah, 4 b. 14 April, 1745; 
m. Daniel Clark of Topsfield. 4. Stephen, 4 b. 3 Dec, 1747; m. Elizabeth 
Gould of Topsfield. 5. Jeremiah, 4 b. 14 Dec, 1749; m. Eunice Foster of 
Andover. 6. Nathan, 4 b. 9 March, 1752; m. Ruth Gould of Topsfield: 
Jeremiah Perley of Boxford is their son. 7. Peter, 4 b. 5 June, 1754 ; d. when 
"a young man." 8. Sarah, 4 b. 7 July, 1756; d. young. 9. Sarah, 4 b. 27 
July, 1757; m. Roger Balch of .Topsfield. 10. Betty, 4 b. 6 March, 1758; d. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 77 

Perley, Chief Justice of New Hampshire ; Dr. Daniel 
Perley of Lynn ; Gen. John Perley of the Massachusetts 
and Maine militia ; John P. Perley of the Maine Legis- 
lature ; Dr. Thomas F. Perley; Rev. Humphrey C. Per- 
ley ; Jeremiah Perley, Esq. ; Col. Charles S. Perley ; Hon. 
William E. Perley, for more than twenty years a member of 
the Parliament of New Brunswick and of the Parliament of 
the Dominion of Canada ; and Rev. William F. Perley, Meth- 
odist clergyman in Kingston, Canada. 

John Perley was living here as early as 1683. He was 
born in 1636, and was the first Perley born in America. 
He was brother to the preceding settler, and by trade a 
carpenter. He was a prominent man in the town, which 
he twice represented in the Legislature ; many other posi- 
tions of trust he also filled with fidelity. He was made a 
freeman October, 1690. About 1661 he married Mary, 
daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Howlett, who died 21 
Oct., 1 71 8, at the age of seventy-six years. He died 15 
Dec, 1729, at the great age of ninety-three years. The 
bodies of himself and wife lie interred in the cemetery near 
the Third-District schoolhouse, their gravestones being 
well preserved. His lineal descendants have been resi- 
dents of the town until within half a century. His chil- 
dren were: 1. Sarah, 2 b. about 1662 ; m. Joseph Andrews. 
2. Samuel, 2 b. 1664; d. in Rowley, 24 Oct., 1746, aged 
eighty-two years. 3. John ; 2 m. (?) and resided here. 4. 

unm., 16 Jan., 1822. n. Moody* b. 16 March, 1760. 12. Phebe, 4 b. 14 
Jan., 1763; m. Solomon Wood of Boxford. 13. Eliphalet, 4 b. 17 Nov., 
1765; d. unm., 17 March, 1846. 

Moody* m. Abigail, dau. of John and Elizabeth (Bradstreet) Gould of 
Topsfield, 10 Dec, 1793, who d. 23 Jan., 1S51, aged eighty-one years. He d. 
23 Sept., 1833. Ch. : 1. Betsey Gould, 3 b. 24 March, 1796; m. Daniel W. 
Perkins of Topsfield; live in Georgetown. 2. Moody, 5 b. 15 April, 179S ; 
d. 7 Nov., 1803. 3. Hiram, 5 b. 18 July, 1S00 ; m. Ruth Ann Smith ; d. 23 
Feb., 1865. 4. Abigail, 5 b. 19 March, 1803. 5. Fanny, 5 b. 4 April, 1806. 
6. Moody, 5 b. 26 March, 1809. 7. Stephen, 5 b. S Feb., 181 1; d. unm., 23 
March, 1S67. 8. Leander, 5 b. 14 Nov., 1815; d. 11 Oct., 1864, unm. 



78 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Thomas, 2 b. 1669; m. 1st, Abigail (Towne), widow of 
Jacob Peabody of Topsfield ; m. 2d, Hannah Goodhue ; 
lived first in Topsfield, and removed to Boxford about 171 3. 
5. Nathaniel. 2 6. Isaac. 2 7. Jeremiah, 2 b. 1677; m. 
three times ; no issue ; was a prominent man, a captain in 
the militia, &c. 8. Mary. 2 

Thomas Hazen was born in Rowley, 29 : it mo. : 1657, 
and was son of Edward (the immigrant) and Hannah 
(Grant) Hazen. He probably resided near the "great 
meadows," in a pasture where an ancient cellar is still visi- 
ble.* He came here immediately after his marriage with 
Mary, daughter of Thomas Howlett, 1 Jan., 1683-84. He 
was made a freeman 22 March, 1689-90. He was select- 
man for several years, and also regularly served in other 
town offices. In 1711, with most of his family, Mr. Hazen 
removed to Norwich, Conn., where he died 12 April, 1735, 
aged seventy-seven years. His wife died 24 Oct., 1727. 
His children were: 1. Hannah, 2 b. 10 Oct., 1684; m. John 
Symonds of Boxford, 13 Feb., 170-. 2. Alice, 2 b. 10 June, 
1686; m. Jeremiah Perley of Boxford, 20' Dec, 1710. 3. 
John, 2 b. 23 March, 1688 ; m. Mercy, dau. of John and 
Sarah (Perkins) Bradstreet of Topsfield ; lived in Norwich, 
Conn. 4. Thomas, 2 b. 7 Feb., 1690; m. Sarah Ayer of 
Norwich, Conn., where he lived. 5. Jacob, 2 b. 5 Dec, 

1691 ; m. Abigail ; lived in Norwich. 6. Mary, 2 b. 

1 Sept., 1694; m. Increase Moseley, 4 July, 171 1. 7. 
Lydia, 2 b. 1 Sept., 1694, twin with Mary; m. Benjamin 
Abell of Norwich, 17 March, 171 3-14. 8. Hephzibah, 2 b. 
22 March, 1697; m. Nathaniel Perkins, 15 Nov., 1716. 9. 
Ruth, 2 b. 3 Oct., 1699; d. in Norwich, Conn., 18 Feb., 
1739-40. 10. Jeremiah, 2 b. 4 Jan., 1701-02. 11. Ednah, 2 
b. 25 Dec, 1704; m. Joshua Smith of Norwich, 21 Oct., 

* Since the above was in type we have discovered documents indicating 
that Mr. Hazen's residence was near Reyner Pond; which is no doubt 
correct. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 79 

1724. Several years elapsed before Jacob Hazen settled 
here, about 1760. The old place spoken of above was last 
occupied about seventy-five years ago, by the above-named 
Jacob, the father of Hannah Hazen, who, it will be remem- 
bered by the older residents in that section of the town, 
created quite a sensation by doing works which were 
ascribed, at the time, to the power of Satan. The descend- 
ants of Thomas Hazen have been many, and of a dis- 
tinguished character. Among them are Rev. Hervey 
Crosby Hazen, lately a missionary in India, and now 
a minister in Spencer, N. Y. ; Hon. Abraham D. Hazen 
of Pennsylvania, now Third-Assistant Postmaster-Gen- 
eral ; ReV. Austin Hazen, pastor in Hartford and Berlin, 
Vt. ; Rev. Allen Hazen, for many years a missionary in 
India ; Rev. Jasper Hazen, one of the oldest and most 
honored ministers of the Christian denomination ; Gen. 
William B. Hazen of the United States army, who distin- 
guished himself under Sherman in the war of the Rebel- 
lion, and particularly by his brilliant capture of Fort 
McAllister, near Savannah, on the "March to the Sea;" 
Rev. Henry A. Hazen of Billerica ; Rev. Timothy Allyn 
Hazen of Goshen, Conn. ; Rev. James King Hazen, Secre- 
tary of the Board of Publication of the Presbyterian Church 
(South) at Richmond, Va. ; and many others, mostly dis- 
tinguished as divines. 

In 1678-79, March, Topsfield made a rate for procuring 
powder and bullets. The total amount of the rate was 
,£41 6s. 6d., of which the Villagers' share was £,4. igs., to 
be paid in money, or Indian corn at two shillings a bushel. 
John Cummings was the gatherer for the Village. 

The following order was passed by the General Court, 
Oct. 15, 1684: "Ordered, that all persons liuing in Rowley 
Village, neere to Topsfield, who are liable to attend mili- 
tary service on fout, shall attend their duty vnder the 
comand of the cheift officer at Topsfeild, & be one company 



So HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

w th respect to military seruice." The following May, the 
General Court ordered that the above order should " be 
null & voyd, & that the villagers be excercised by such 
officers as the majo 1 ' generall shall appoint, till farther 
order." The reason why these orders were called into 
existence is unknown. Farther orders, intimated above, 
were not needed, as the Village was incorporated as a 
town three months later, and from that time the Villagers 
comprised a company of their own. 

Mr. Hobart's course in Topsfield was no smoother than 
that of his predecessor. The people accused him of im- 
moralities, and withheld his pay. He, in his turn, sued the 
people, and obtained judgment. 7 May, 1680, Topsfield 
voted "that thay wars not Willing m r Hubbord should 
Continue in y e work of y e miniftry here at Topsfeild with- 
out m r Hubbord and y e Towne Can agree in a more Chrif- 
tan way then thay bee in at p e fent." Mr. Hobart was 
accordingly dismissed from the ministry before the season 
was out. Mr. Hobart was again settled at Hempstead, 
L. I., where he staid a number of years ; but after a while, 
finding that his congregation was fast leaving him, he con- 
cluded to go also. He was next settled at Haddam, Conn., 
and there he staid till his death, at the age of eighty- 
eight years. Although little sanctity seems connected 
with this early pastor of Topsfield, he is, however, closely 
related to several noted divines ; and Mr. Brainard, the 
celebrated missionary, was his grandson. 

In this year (1680) considerable discussion was carried 
on about petitioning the General Court to have the Vil- 
lagers and the Linebrook * people joined with the Tops- 
field people, "for y e Cariang one y e miniftry." Topsfield 
went so far as to appoint a committee to meet with the 
others to compose a petition. None was sent, probably. 

* Linebrook was a small settlement in the west end of Ipswich, near to 
Topsfield. It was incorporated as a parish in [749. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 8l 

In 1678 a gallery with seats in it was built in the 
meeting-house, one-third of which was sold in 1681 to the 
Villagers, for them to sit in. 

No pulpit had, up to this time, adorned the church. In 
1682 one was built by Samuel Symonds of the Village, ten 
feet long. The cost was ten pounds without the material, 
which the town furnished. The old meeting-house was used 
for the purpose of worship until a new edifice was erected 
in 1703. The old one was then sold for five pounds to 
John Gould, who moved it down to the turnpike, and used 
it for a barn. It was afterwards removed to the "river 
meadows," where some of its decayed timbers could be 
seen a few years since. 

After several unsuccessful calls to the ministry there, one 
was accepted by Rev. Joseph Capen of Cambridge ; and 
a committee (Thomas Perkins of Topsfield, and Joseph 
Bixby of the Village) was appointed "to goe to Cambrig 
to pilot m Capen to Topsfeild to Liu 1 Pebodyes house." 
Another committee was chosen — among whom was Sam- 
uel Buswell, sen., of the Village — "to discorse with m r 
Capen to ftay and preach here with us at Topsfeild a 
while." A salary of ,£65 — ^20 payable in silver, and 
^45 in pork and beef per year — with the use of the par- 
sonage-house, was voted to be given him. After preaching 
there one year, he was given an invitation to settle, which 
was accepted Sept. 18, 1682 : he was settled soon after. 

Mr. Capen was a native of Dorchester, and a graduate of 
Harvard College. He continued in the ministry there for 
many years after the Villagers had withdrawn from the 
Church. He was a preacher of moderate abilities, as 
appears from one of his sermons which was published. 
His wife was Priscilla, daughter of Capt. John Appleton of 
Ipswich, a distinguished man in his day ; and through their 
daughter Elizabeth, Mr. Capen's blood flows in the veins 
of the writer. 



CHAPTER IV. 

INCORPORATION OF THE TOWN, &>C. 

Incorporation of the Town. — Dividing-Line confirmed. — 
Naming the Town. — The Town Records. — First Ceme- 
tery. — Houses, Manners, and Customs of the Early 
Settlers. — Settlers, 1685-1700. 

p&T is the highest ambition of every community to 
Nf» have a government of its own, and to be recog- 
*ff\ |^ nized by its own voice in the higher halls of legis- 
^s>^iJ% lation. Grand ! must the inhabitants of our early 
New-England settlements have been, when they were rec- 
ognized by the General Court as independent communities, 
and took their places with the neighboring towns, possess- 
ing like power in conducting the affairs of the body poli- 
tic. And, indeed, it was no false pride ; for they could 
look back upon the past, and observe that the acts of 
their lives, being for the good and for the advancement 
of the place, all culminated at last in their independent 
condition. 

The Village having now increased to about forty families, 
the inhabitants turned their attention to procuring a town 
charter. While in their existing condition they had no 
power to settle a minister, or to raise money to support 
one if settled. Rowley had encouraged them to proceed 
in this direction ; and it was on the 18th of May, 1685, that 

the inhabitants of the Village met together, in a lawful 
82 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 83 

and general meeting, and voted that they would petition 
the General Court for a town charter, and that Abraham 
Redington, sen., should be the bearer of it. Nine clays 
later, the General Court convened, and this petition was 
placed before them. The following is a literal transcript 
from the original : — 



" To the honoured General Court, held at Boston, the 27 : 3 mo. 
16S5. The humble petesion of the inhabitants of Rowley village to 
the honoured General Court, wee being sensaball of the great need 
of having the publick word of God preached amongst us, which wee 
cannot have in the condesion that wee bee in at present, wee lying 
so far remote from Rowley that wee cannot comfortably atend God's 
public worship for the greatest part of the year, it is therefore the 
general desire of the inhabitants of Rowley vilage to bee a preparing 
to settle a minnester amongst ourselves as soon as convenantly wee 
can, thearfore wee desiar, that the honoured General Court would 
bee pleased to grant us township prevelig, that so wee might the more 
comfortably cary on so needfull a work, for the betor edication of our 
children that cannot gooe fouer mieles to meting: severall of our 
tovvne of Rowley have incoureged us to gooe about this work several 
years agoen, teling of us that the vilag was laied out for that eand, and 
it doth contaien a bought eaighteen thousand acores of land, which wee 
think will comfortabully setuate one hundred families ; this vileg or 
tract of land was obtained of the General Court by Rowley men to 
bee an adesion to thear concern, which suen after they had mead it 
suer to them saelves, they laied it ought to thear own townsmen, every 
man according to his hoaes lote (saving a few mistakes), and also 
laied ought a ministours farem in it, for a ministor to live on as suen 
as the vileg should be capaball to maintaien a minnistor, and now wee 
bee increased to the nuember of a bought forty famelies and more, 
may bee a preparing satelment, ouer desiour is fierst to maek the min- 
nister's farem to be fet and sutabull to entartain a minnister in, and 
then to call a minister if wee can find on willing to come, and teall 
then we shall bee willing to contrebut to those plases that wee doe 
hear the word of God preached at, as formerly we have doaen, 
severall of ouer ouen towen of Rowley have incoreged us to call a 
minnester first, but wee havinge no power amonst our salves eather to 
call a meeting, or to agree how much to give a minnester, or to com- 
pel any persun to doe his dewty if he will not doe it of himself, there- 



84 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

fore we dooe humbaly desair the honored Genaral Court woueld bee 
pleased to grant us ouer petesion herin. 

" ApRAHAM Reddington, Sen. 
Joseph Bixbee, Sen. 
Samuel Buswel, Sen. 
William Foster, 
John Peabody. 
" These in the name and with the consent of the reast of the 
vileg." * 

In answer to this petition, the General Court order, that, 
" In ans r to the petition of Abraham Reddington, Joseph 
Bixbee, Samuel Buswell, W m Foster, & John Peabody, in 
the behalf of the inhabitants of Rowley Village, the Court 
inclines to grant their request, prouided it may be with the 
consent of the selectmen of Rowley." f Rowley readily 
consented, and on the 7th of July their committee met with 
a committee appointed by the Village, and agreed upon a 
dividing-line. The session of the General Court held 
when the petition was acted upon had come to an end ; and 
at the next Quarterly Court, which convened on the 12th of 
August following, Rowley sent in their consent, accompa- 
nied by a description of the parting line. Their consent is 
as follows : — 

" The inhabitants of Rowley Village desiring to be a touneship, 
wee, whose names are vnderwritten, being a cohiitte chosen by y e 
toune of Rowley, haue consented that they should be a touneship, 
prouided the honord Court see cause to grant their request. Wee, 
desiring also that the honnored Gennerall Court would be pleased to 
continue the lyne wee haue agreed vpon betwixt the toune of Rowley 
& the village ; and so your humble servants remajne, yo r s, &c. 

'• Daniel Wycom, 
Jho Trumble, 
Stephen Mighill, 
Ezekiel Jewet, 
Jho Hopkinson, 
John Lighton." 

* This petition is copied from Gage's History of Rozuley. 
t Gage, in his History of Rowley, says that this order was passed June 5. 
Where he got his information we do not know. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 85 

These documents were accepted by the Court, and the 
line, as agreed upon, was confirmed. This line was nearly 
the same as that which now divides the two towns. A 
few slight alterations have been made by the perambulators 
in after-years ; and by an Act of the General Court in 
1808 a small piece of land in Georgetown, on which was 
situated the Samuel Spofford house, was set off from Row- 
ley to Boxford, and afterward to Georgetown. The " forked 
oak" mentioned in the agreement stood across the street 
from the cigar-manufactory of Mr. T. B. Masury, at which 
place a split stone now stands, marked with the letters 
" G " and " B." The report of the committee that run the 
dividing-line, as it was copied into the town records of 
Boxford about fifteen years later, by Capt. John Peabody, 
the town-clerk, is as follows : — 

"Wee whoes names are vnder written being chosen by the Town 
of Rowley on the one part and by the village of Rowley on the other 
peart to a gree about a parting liene betwixt the Town of Rowly and 
the Villiag being meet to gather the Seventh of July 1685 ■ do agree 
as foloweth that the middel bound shall bee whear the foout Path 
Esueth out of the Cart path not far ofe the bridg going ouer the great 
medow and from the said middel bounds to a forked whit oack neear 
the medow formerly layed out to Elder Rainer being a bound of that 
peart of the said medoo that feall to Captin whippel one a devision : 
and is also the corner bound of a persil of land layed out to Ezecal 
northen being by Estemation a bout forty acors, and so going on the 
same liene straight to Ipswich lien and from the a bove said tree of a 
straight lien to the South weast corner of the three thowsand acors 
which is a whit oake marked with • R • and • t • ■ and so from the said 
tree north ward on a lien betwixt the three thowsand acors and land 
layed out to mistris Rogers and John pickard teall you come to a whit 
oake marked with • S • K- 1 • being the corner bound of John pick- 
ards land standing in the lien betwixt bradforth and the vileg ; we 
forther agree that the inhabitance of the village shall bee free from all 
Reats for time to come to the Town of Rowly Exsepting twenty 
shillings in silver to bee payed by Josaph Bixbee sener John pebody 
william foster Samuell Simonds and mosis tiler yearly to anney of the 
Commety whiel thay have no orthodox minister setlcd in the village 



S6 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and forthcr it is agreead that all the Coman land lying with in the 
village undeuided shall Remaien to belong to the town of Rowly 
Exsepting the fearm commenly called the minnisters farme with in 
the villeag : and anney thing that is dew to the Country for land lying 
in the villiag is to bee paied by the in habitants of the villeage in Con- 
formation of what is a bove written both pearties have seat tow thair 
hands the day and year a bove spesified 

Josaph Bixbee 
" ezecal jueat john jonson 

John hopkins John Pebodv 

John layton Samuel plates Juenr 

Robart Eames Samuel Simonds 

ezecall northen 

" this is a trew Copey taken out of the Enstru- WILLIAM FOSTER 
merit of a greement between Rowly and the villiag r> aniell WlCOM 
in the day that Rowly seat the villaig thair bounds a ^ 

v \u i r . va i . 4. t i. mosis Tiler 

cording as the general Court did order as attest John 

pebody Town Clark for Boxford" JOHN TRUMBOLL 

Steephen myheall " 

The twenty shillings mentioned in this agreement as an 
annual acquittance of the Villagers was paid by them for 
eighteen years, or until the first minister was settled here, 
in 1702. The oldest record on the town-books is a copy 
of the receipt for this sum for the first year. 

Boxford, at the date of incorporation, probably contained 
about two hundred inhabitants. These, in general, were 
enterprising, industrious, and well-to-do people. At this 
time agriculture was the principal business. Most of the 
farms had large tracts of land under cultivation. Corn 
was the main crop. 

In selecting a name for the new town, recourse was 
made to the Old Country. Perhaps some of the early 
settlers who were natives of the towns of the same name in 
England, " loving the old town at home, wished to preserve 
its name in the new country." Rev. Mr. Phillips, the min- 
ister in Rowley at this time, was born in Boxford,* Berk- 

* Boxford, Berkshire, England, is laid out in pleasant farms ; and char- 
acteristic of its American namesake, its quietude is peculiar. It is about 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 87 

shire, in England ; and perhaps he persuaded the inhabit- 
ants of the Village to call it Boxford, or they did it out of 
respect to him. However, it was from that time called 
Boxford ; and with the Village we have no longer any- 
thing to do. 

Several pages of the earliest records of the town have 
become loose, and some of them have undoubtedly been 
lost, as the records do not appear to be arranged in regular 
order until several years are passed. The list of officers 
chosen in 1686 are not to be found on the existing records 
of the town, but from other contemporary records we have 
obtained the names of the following, viz. : constable, Robert 
Stiles ; town-clerk, John Peabody.* 

From 1690 the town-records have been well preserved. 
The transactions of the town are given in as minute a man- 
thirty miles out from London, on the Great Northern Railway. The chief 
feature of the place is the large tunnel through which the above railroad 
passes ; it is seven miles in length, and the largest tunnel in England. — 
Rev. Hilary Bygrave. 

The following are descriptions of the two Boxfords in England, extracted 
from Monies' Counties (Eng.) : — 

" In the county of Suffolk in Babergh Hundred is Boxford, on a branch of 
the river Stour, five miles west from Hadleigh, sixteen miles west from 
Ipswich, and ten miles north from Colchester in Essex; contains one hundred 
and seventeen houses, and seven hundred and forty-three inhabitants. The 
village is pleasantly situated in a fertile valley, between two brooks, which 
unite a little below it. Here is a manufactory for dressing sheep and deer 
skins ; and a considerable trade in malt is carried on. The annual fairs are on 
Easter Monday and 21st December. The church, dedicated to the Virgin 
Mary, is a rectory, value twenty pounds, in the patronage of the crown : it 
is a spacious edifice, with a spire. Here is a free grammar-school, founded 
by Queen Elizabeth. Coddenham Hall, an old seat of the Bennet family, is 
now a farmhouse. Hadleigh is a hamlet of this parish." — Vol. I., p. 254. 

" In the county of Berkshire, in Faircross Hundred, is Boxford, four 
miles from Newbury, and sixty from London ; contains one hundred and 
eight houses, and five hundred and sixty-three inhabitants. It is a rectory, 
value twenty pounds, with Westbrook, in Kintbury Hundred." — Vol. II., 
p. 4. 

* For list of town-clerks and selectmen to the present time, see Ap- 
pendix A and B. 



88 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

ner as could be expected ; the style of recording remaining 
about the same to the present time. The first volume of 
records of town-meetings is about half in the chirography 
of the first town-clerk, Capt. John Peabody ; the rest of 
the volume was written by various clerks who served only 
a few years at a time. This volume comes down to 1743. 
Five volumes are all there are of town-meeting records. 
There are several volumes of " tax-books " which contain 
the doings of the assessors back to the year 171 1.* An 
old " commoner's book " is also in existence, dating from 
1683 ; the land of which it contains the record is that now 
occupied by the East Parish village, and eight hundred acres 
of Zaccheus Gould's on the south side of Fish Brook. The 
earliest births, marriages, and deaths, to 1740, were recorded 
with the records of town-meetings ; since that time they 
have been recorded in separate volumes. The death record 
is very deficient, but that of births and marriages is very 

full. 

The ancient cemetery near the residence of Mr. Walter 
French, in the East Parish, was' undoubtedly the first place 
which the people used for the purpose of burying the dead. 
Prior to the date of which we are writing, and perhaps 
after, some of the settlers were interred in the cemeteries 
of the neighboring towns. The space used as a burial- 
ground was much larger than would be supposable from 
present appearance. This land was originally a part of the 
property of Abraham Redington, the first known white 
settler of the town. It was mentioned as " the burial- 
ground " as early as 1693. The oldest headstone now 

* At the end of the first volume of tax-lists, which comes down to the 
year 1745, is inscribed the following (probably from the pen of Solomon 
Wood, and written about 1750) on its dilapidated state : — 

" All old things are not done away, 
But some old things do much decay; 
As you may see by this old book 
If you from end to end should look." 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 89 

standing there, and which is also the oldest in the town, 
bears the following inscription : — 

HERE LYES BURIED 

THE BODY OF 
SARAH WOOD Ye 
WIFE OF DEACON 
DANIEL WOOD WHO 
DIED SEPTEMBER 27 
1714 & IN THE 57 
YEAR OF HER AGE. 

This cemetery was used as one of " God's acres " until the 
beginning of the present century, when, the graves being 
so numerous that a new one could not be excavated with- 
out digging into another, it was abandoned. Mrs. Ruth 
Trask, who died in 1829, was the last person interred there. 
The cemetery was originally a corner of a mowing-field, 
we should judge, that had been set apart for that purpose; 
in which the shrubbery has become so dense as to screen 
most of the dozen remaining monuments from the sight of 
the passer-by, and in which the stray cattle graze. It 
would seem as if Whittier had this old cemetery in view 
when he wrote : — 

" Our vales are sweet with fern and rose, 
Our hills are maple-crowned ; 
But not from them our fathers chose 
The village burying-ground. 

"The dreariest spot in all the land 
To Death they set apart ; 
With scanty grace from Nature's hand, 
And none from that of Art. 

" A winding wall of mossy stone, 
Frost-flung and broken, lines 
A lonesome acre thinly grown 
With grass and wandering vines. 

" Without the wall a birch-tree shows 
Its drooped and tasselled head ; 
Within, a stag-horned sumach grows, 
Fern-leafed, with spikes of red. 



90 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

" There, sheep that graze the neighboring plain 
Like white ghosts come and go, 
The farm-horse drags his fetlock chain, 
The cow-bell tinkles low. 

" Unshaded smites the summer sun, 
Unchecked the winter blast ; 
The school-girl learns the place to shun, 
With glances backward cast. 

" For thus our fathers testified — 
That he might read who ran — 
The emptiness of human pride, 
The nothingness of man. 

"Above the graves the blackberry hung 
In bloom and green its wreath, 
And harebells swung as if they rung 
The chimes of peace beneath. 

" With flowers or snowflakes for its sod, 
Around the seasons ran, 
And evermore the love of God 
Rebuked the fear of man." 

The stones are fast yielding to the hands of time. Their 
once upright forms are now leaning ; many are already 
gone, and leaving no trace by which the future historian 
can discover that this was once — a long while ago — a 
"city of the dead." 

The imagination dwells with an ever-increasing interest 
upon the private history of the early settlers of New Eng- 
land. We would love to be able to follow them in their 
daily lives ; all through the new and interesting scenes 
which made up each day, each month, each year : in 
spring, while sowing their seeds ; in harvest, when gather- 
ing in their crops ; in winter, suffering from the cold, and 
in danger from the wild animals ; and minutely following 
them in their daily actions, studying their manners and 
customs, and learning from them self-denial, prudence, 
wisdom, godliness, industry, and simplicity. The annals of 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 9 1 

history that relate to that epoch which comprises the set- 
tlement of New England are so full of novelty, experience, 
and danger, that it is a subject upon which the descend- 
ants of the early settlers love, to speak and contemplate. 
Truly may we quote the words of the Rev. Mr. Gammell : 
"All honor to the fathers and mothers of New England ! 
may their deeds never want appreciation ; and may God 
keep, in the hearts of their descendants, their memory 
forever green ! " 

The earliest houses in town were probably with frames ; 
although, we doubt not, there were log cottages, the chinks 
of which were filled with clay, and thus made very com- 
fortable. Down to 1700 the large, square style of archi- 
tecture prevailed. The long, sloping-back roof next be- 
came popular, and that style continued for many years. 
The chimneys were built, in colonial days, of stone and 
lime, on the outside of the house. The furniture in the 
house was only sufficient for comfort ; and the stoves of 
the present day have been substituted for the fireplaces 
of our ancestors. 

As to the necessaries and comforts of life, they were 
pretty equally divided among the colonists. As the neces- 
saries were of the cheapest and simplest kind, being mostly 
the fruit of the soil, they were very easily supplied by the 
industry of the inhabitants. New clothes were a luxury 
to the colonists ; and they believed, as one of their contem- 
poraries sang, that 

". . . patched clothes were warmer 
Than single whole clothing." 

What foolishness the early colonists would deem the 
daily newspapers of the present 'day ! Their medium of 
dispensing and gathering news was oral ; and probably a 
general circulation only occurred on Sunday, when they 
met together at the church. A newspaper was probably 
an unknown luxury here until years after the time of which 
we are writing. 



92 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

In regard to other customs of the early settlers the inter- 
ested reader can find full information in the written ac- 
counts and traditions which have come down to posterity, 
and which are embodied in many valuable volumes that are 
the product of years of labor and research. 

After Boxford was incorporated several families came here 
almost immediately, and began long lines of descendants 
which have spread all over the world, and can be numbered 
by thousands. One of the first of these was 

William Peabody. He was a brother of Capt. John 
Peabody of Boxford, and was born in 1646. He married 
Hannah Hale of Newbury, — sister to Joseph Hale, who 
shortly after resided here, — 14 Aug., 1684, and built a 
house where now is a small grove of gilead trees near the 
west corner of the late Samuel Peabody's house in the 
East Parish. Shortly after his settlement he erected a saw 
and grist mill, — one of which was supposed to stand near 
the summer residence of William A. Herrick, Esq., and the 
other farther down the stream at the foot of the meadow. 
He had lost the use of one of his arms, which somewhat 
disabled his working abilities. He had a servant, by name 
John Norman, letters of administration on whose estate 
were granted to his master, 5 Sept., 1698. Mr. Peabody 
was made a freeman 21 July, 1685. He served as select- 
man in the town in 1689, 1696, 1697, and 1699, and died 
at the age of 53 years, 6 March, 1699-1700. He died 
intestate, and letters of administration were granted to 
his widow 3 June, 1700. Amount of inventory of his 
estate, ^913 8 s. yd. ; debts due from the estate, only ^3 
gs. His widow died 23 Feb., 1733. Among their de- 
scendants is their son Oliver Peabody, a noted preacher at 
Natick, and his son Oliver, a minister at Roxbury ; Dr. 
William Peabody of Corinth, Me. ; Hon. Oliver Peabody of 
Exeter, N.H., President of Senate, Treasurer of State, &c. ; 
Rev. Stephen Peabody of Atkinson, N. H. ; William Pea- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 93 

body of Milford, N. H., a magistrate and representative to 
State legislature for many years ; Samuel Peabody, Esq. ; 
Charles Augustus Peabody, judge of the Supreme Court of 
the State of New York ; Rev. Ephraim Peabody, pastor 
of King's Chapel in 1846; and many other noted men. 
William Peabocly's children were: 1. Stephen, 2 * b. 5 Aug., 
16S5. 2. Mary, 2 b. 11 April, 1687; m. Joseph Symonds 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Peabody residents 
of Boxford from William's son Stephen : — 

Capt. Stephen 7 - m. Hannah Swan, who d. 17 April, 1764, a. 75 years 
He d. 7 June. 1759. Ch. : 1. Hannah, 3 b. 1 Feb., 1709. 2. Richard, 3 b 
29 May, 1711; d. n Oct., 1711. 3. Mary, 3 b. 29 Dec, 1713 ; d. 12 June 
1714. 4. William, 3 b. 29 June, 1715. 5. Hephzibah, 3 b. 14 Feb., 1718 ; m 
Ephraim Dorman. 6. Priscilla, 3 b. 22 Nov., 1719; m. John Hale. 7 
Francis, 3 b. 12 Feb., 1721-22 ; one of the first English settlers of New Bruns 
wick. 8. Stephen, 3 b. 1 Oct., 1724. 9. Richard? \>. 13 April, 1731. 

Capt. Richard? m. Jemima Spofford, who d. 19 Dec, 181 1, aged 78, 
years. He d. 7 June, 1820. Lived on his father's homestead. Ch. : 1. 
Hannah, 4 b. 18 Feb., 1758; d. 17 Dec, 1832. 2. Hephzibah, 4 b. 13 April, 
1759. 3. Stephen?b. 27 Aug., 1760. 4. John, 4 b. 24 July, 1762. 5. Richard, 4 
b. 16 April, 1764. 6. Oliver, 4 b. 6 March, 1766. 7. William, 4 b. 10 Jan. 
176S ; a doctor in Corinth, Me. : see his biography. 8. Priscilla, 4 b. 1 Feb., 
1770. 9. Francis, 4 b. 7 June, 1771. 10. Samuel, 4 b. 15 Sept., 1772; d. y. 
11. Samuel, 4 b. 30 Jan., 1775. I2 - J° se ph Spofford? b. 30 Jan., 1779. 

Stephen? Esq., m. Anna Killam of Boxford, 13 Dec, 1785, who d. 
28 Dec, 1843. He d. 22 July, 1830. He was a J. P., and was some- 
what noted in his day. On his marriage he purchased the house of Mr. 
Thomas Wood, that previously stood where the Third-District school -house 
now stands, and, after residing in it a few years, removing it to its present 
site (near the late residence of Mr. C. C. Stevens), he took away the large and 
low back-rooms, and, raising the building higher, made it as it now exists. 
Ch. : 1. Stephen, 5 b. 17 Oct., 1787; d. 19 July, 1806. 2. Samuel? b. 6 
Nov., 1788. 3. Nancy, 5 b. 28 Aug., 1796; d. 5 April, 1854, unm. 

Joseph Spofford 1 - m. Hannah Foster, 25 Dec, 1S00, who d. 11 May, 
1849. He d. 17 May, 1846. Ch. : 1. Lavinia, 5 b. 20 Sept., 1S01; m. 
Peter Johnson ; d. 1 Sept., 1S64. 2. Lucy, 5 b. 27 Sept., 1S02 ; m. Aaron 
Richardson ; d. 27 Aug., 1S25. 3. Dorothy, 5 b. 15 June, 1804 ; m. Joseph 
Brown ; d. I Jan., 1S50. 4. John? b. 19 Sept., 1S06. 5. Eliza, 5 b. 2 July, 
1808; d. unm. 12 April, 1826. 6. Salome, 5 b. 24 July, 1S10; m. Stephen 
Small; d. 12 June, 1845. 7. Clarissa, 5 b. 20 June, 1S12. 8. Joseph, 5 b. 
4 Feb., 1S15 ; m. Lydia Hilton ; d. 14 Feb., 1858. 

Samuel 1 ' m. 1st, Mary Bradstreet of Danvers, 30 April, 1S1S, who d. 1 



94 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

of Boxford. 3. Ephraim, 2 b. 23 April, 1689. 4. Richard, 2 
b. 17 Feb., 1691 ; m. Ruth Kimball, in Bradford, 7 March, 
1716. 5. Hannah, 2 b. — Aug., 1693 ; m. Jonathan Fos- 
ter. 6. John, 2 b. 1 Aug., 1695. 7. Abiah, 2 b. , 1697; 

m. Joseph Kimball, 19 Jan., 1724. 8. Oliver, 2 b. 7 May, 
1698; whose biography is given in this work. Stephen 2 
erected the old mansion which has for several years been 
used by William Aug. Herrick, Esq., as a summer resi- 

Jan., 1836; m. 2d, Mary Spofford of Boxford. He d. i Sept., 1S62. He 
resided on his father's place, and was a butcher. " He was prosperous in 
business, and a man of remarkable integrity of character." Ch. : 1. Ste- 
phen, 6 b. ; d. y. 2. Samuel Porter, 6 b. 27 Nov., 1S20. 3. Stephen, 6 b. 25 

Jan., 1822 ; m. 1st, Maria F. Cummings of B., 25 Dec, 1849, who d. 15 Dec, 
185S ; m. 2d, Tammy B. Smith of Newburyport, 26 Nov., 1863, where they 
now reside. He was educated at Phillips Academy, Andover, People's Gym- 
nasium Academy, Pembroke, N. H., and at Topsfield Academy; taught 
school twenty-five years or more, chiefly in Newburyport. 4. Mary Ann, 6 
b. 1 Sept., 1823 ; d. 22 Jan., 1865, unm. 5. Melissa, 6 b. 2 Nov., 1824 ; m. 
John Q. Batchelder. 6. Caroline Eliza, 6 b. 21 April, 1S26; d. 1 April, 1S69, 
unm. " Mary Ann and Caroline E. were sisters, . . . and they both trusted 
in Christ alone for eternal life." — Monument. 7. Albert Bradstreet, 6 b. 1 
Nov., 1828; minister in Stratham, N. H. : see his biography. 

Capt. John 5 m. 1st, Henrietta S. Baker of Georgetown, 27 Sept., 
1831, who d. 16 June, 1874; m. 2d, Mrs. Elizabeth Clark. Ch. : 1. 
John Perley, 6 b. 18 June, 1S32 ; m. Sarah A. True of Amesbury, 14 July, 
185s. Lives in Salem ; editor, publisher, and proprietor of the Fireside 
Favorite, an extensively circulating monthly periodical ; dealer in fancy 
goods, &c, in which business he has been very successful. 2. Hannah 
Elizabeth, 6 b. 16 Feb., 1834; m. Hosea W. Carr. 3. George Washington, 6 
b. 26 Feb., 1836; m. Cynthia G. Covert; painter in Chelsea. 4. Richard, 6 
b. 18 April, 1838 ; d. 16 May, 1S38. 5. Charles William, 6 b. 20 (30 ?) March, 
1840 ; m. Annie M. Allen of Salem ; d. 25 March, 1S79 ; was a popular 
fancy-goods dealer in Newburyport. 6. Eliza Ann, 6 b. 2 Feb., 1842 ; m. 
James E. Sheen of W. Peabody. 7. Sarah Lavinia, 6 b. 10 Feb., 1844 ; m. 
Asa Gentis of Haverhill. 8. Matilda H., 6 b. iS Dec, 1S45 > d - 2 7 Sept., 1848. 
9. Stephen, 6 b. 17 Nov., 1849. 

Samuel Porter 6 m. Mary Jane Bunker, 29 April, 1847, who d. 17 Sept., 
i860, aged 31 years. Ch. : 1. Mary Abbie, 7 b. 9 May, 184S ; m, Henry 
A. Long of N. Andover, 6 Aug., 1872. 2. Clara Jane, 7 b. 18 July, 1S49 '■> m - 
Oscar Fellows, 22 Nov., 1877. 3. Samuel, 7 b. 19 Sept., 1850. 4. Porter 
Bradstreet, 7 b. 21 March, 1854; m. Harriet L. Fish of N. Andover. $. 
Elisha Bunker, 7 b. 7 March, 1S58. 






HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 95 

dence. This was built about 1707; and it has been occu- 
pied by his lineal posterity until about half a century ago. 
All the other sons married ; and all but Oliver settled here, 
and helped to perpetuate the name for several generations. 

James Tant (Taunt), in 1682, was living with Henry 
Lake in Topsfield. Shortly after he was living in Boxford, 
where he was taxed in 1687 one shilling. He owned no 
property here, probably, and was one of the roving char- 
acters of the seventeenth century. 

Francis Heath (or, Leath), by his wife Mary, had a 
daughter Mary born in Boxford, Dec. 23, 1686; which is 
all we know of him. 

William Watson was in Boxford in 1687 and before. 
He was chosen selectman in that year, and also held other 
minor offices. He probably came from Ipswich. He mar- 
ried 1st, Sarah, daughter of Allan Perley, the immigrant, in 
1670, by whom he had two daughters — Mary, born in 1671, 
and Sarah, 2 Nov., 1672. His wife dying, he married 2d, 
Mary, widow of Thomas Hale of Newbury (who, with 
her son Joseph Hale, had just taken up their residence in 
Boxford), 5 Feb., 1694-95. In 1692, April 26, Mr. Wat- 
son made a deposition, in which he agreed to give his 
daughter Mary half of his property if she would marry 
Joseph Hale, to which she consented ; and they were 
joined in wedlock, Dec. 15, 1693. Mr. Watson died June 
27, 1710. His widow survived him tjll Dec. 8, 171 5, when 
she died at the age of 85 years. None of the name have 
since lived in the town. 

John Chadwick was first chosen selectman in 1688, and 
he probably settled here shortly before. After 1692 he is 
styled " Sergeant." He was a prominent man in the town, 
at different times holding various offices of trust. "Widow 
Chadwick" — probably widow of the above John — was 
taxed 1714, 1715. A John Chadwick, perhaps their son, 
married Mehitable , about 1705. She " suddenly " died 



96 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

17 Jan., 1748-49, aged 62 years. Her husband survived 
her till 16 Feb., 1756, when he died at the age of 79 years. 
They resided in the West Parish. Their children were : 
Mehitable, Sarah, Ephraim, Thomas, Mary, David, and 
John. The four sons married and settled in Boxford, where 
their descendants have also resided almost to the present 
time. Thomas was deacon of the Second Church for many 
years. The present Chadwick families of Boxford are of 
Bradford origin, although perhaps their ancestors were of 
this family. 

Nathaniel Brown is first mentioned on the town- 
records in 1687, — he then being chosen surveyor. He 
was made a freeman, October, 1690. He was also a select- 
man in 1690. This is all we know of him. 

Timothy Dorman, born Dec. 12, 1663, in Topsfield, was 
son of Thomas and Judith (Wood) Dorman. He married 
Elizabeth, daughter of John Knowlton of Ipswich, Nov. 15, 
1688, who was born March 1, 1659. He came here imme- 
diately after his marriage, and settled on undivided land 
of his father's. A large part of the original mansion which 
he erected for his dwelling is yet standing, and retained in 
the family, though it has been so altered its present out- 
ward appearance bears very little, if any, resemblance to 
the original. The westerly part, now standing, was built 
by Timothy's son John about 1729 ; a one-story extension 
on the east end was torn down in 1829, and a new addition 
was built in its place ; and in 1850 the east end of the main 
part was torn down, and the house enlarged into its present 
form by its late owner. In this ancient edifice, from the 
date of its erection in 1688 or 1689, to the death of the 
late Thomas P. Dorman, Esq., five generations of his ances- 
tors have lived and died under its parental roof. Mr. Tim- 
othy Dorman was a selectman in 1703, and held other 
minor offices. He died about 1740, at the age of 76 years. 
Ch. : 1. Timothy, 2 b. 18 Sept., 1689; d. 27 Feb., 1701-02. 




DORM AN HOMESTEAD. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 97 

2. Elizabeth, 2 b. 7 Dec, 1691 ; m. John Dagget. 3. Mary, 2 
b. 26 Oct., 1693 ; m. Joseph Stanley of Topsfield. 4. 
John, 2 * b. 9 Feb., 1696. 5. Hannah, 2 b. 22 Dec., 1698; 
m. Israel Dagget. 6. Sarah, 2 b. 7 Feb., 1701-02 ; m. John 
Peabocly. John 2 settled on the old homestead. 

Ephraim and Jabez Dorman, cousin and brother of Tim- 
othy, also settled here. By his wife Martha, Ephraim had 
children : Ephraim, Mary, Elijah, Samuel, John, and Sarah. 
Jabez married Hepzibah Perley, and had Jabez, born 25 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Dorman residents of 
Boxford from Timothy's son John : — 

John 11 m. Rebecca Smith, 28 Jan., 1729-30; and d. 5 Feb., 1775. Ch. : 
1. Timothy, 3 b. 23 Dec, 1730 ; m. Eunice Burnham of Lunenburg ; d. 6 June, 
1764. 2. Rebecca, 3 b. 26 Oct., 1732; m. Jonathan Foster. 3. John, 3 b. 12 
July, 1735; d. 22 Oct., 1737. 4. John, 3 b. 2 Oct., 1738. 5. Elizabeth, 3 b. 17 
May, 1740; m. Ezra Towne ; d. 27 June, 1767. 

Deacon John 3 m. Hannah Jackson of Rowley, 8 May, 1762, who d. 
20 Nov., 1822, aged 87 years. He d. 2 April, 1792. Ch. : 1. John, 4 b. iS 
June, 1763; married Hannah Andrews; d. 25 Dec, 1857. 2. Moses* b. 12 
Oct., 1765. 3. Hannah, 4 b. 23 Aug., 1767; d. 9 Oct., 1828, unm. 4. Jesse, 4 
b. 23 March, 1769; d. 24 May, 1S41. 5. Elizabeth, 4 b. 30 July, 1773; d. 3 
Sept., 1S43, unm. 6. Mehitable, 4 b. 5 March, 1775 ; d. 9 Jan., 185S, unm. 

Moses* Esq., m. Huldah, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Towne) Gould, 

30 June, 1801, who d. 26 Oct., 1S46. He d. 13 Feb., 1850. He was one of 
the most prominent men that Boxford ever numbered among its inhabitants. 
Ch. : 1. Huldah, 5 b. 6 April, 1802 ; d. 28 Sept., 1804. 2. Moses,* b. 25 Sept., 
1803. 3. Huldah, 5 b. 25 March, 1S05 ; m. Benj. Pike of Topsfield ; d. 24 
June, 1S67. 4. Achsah, 5 b. 2 May, 1S0S ; m. Benj. French of Boxford ; d. 

31 Aug., 1S51. 5. Ancill, 5 b. 1 April, 1S19; m. Hannah, dau. of John and 
Matilda Ann (Bailey) Hale of Boxford, 28 Oct., 1847 ; justice of the peace ; 
resides in Boxford. 

Moses, 5 Esq., m. 1st, Huldah Gould, 1 April, 1828, who d. 3 Feb., 1S39 ; 
m. 2d, Phebe Perley of Boxford, 6 Nov., 1839, who died 30 Aug., 1S48 ; m. 
3d, Mary N. Foster, 27 Feb., 1851, who resides on the old place. He d. 26 
July, 1877. A justice of the peace, and a prominent man in the town. Ch. : 
I. Huldah Elizabeth, 6 b. 9 Aug., 1829; m. Joseph H. Janes. 2. Moses 
Horace, 6 b. 10 March, 1841 ; m. Sarah Cheever of Danvers ; merchant in 
New York City. 3. Harriet Andrews, 6 b. 20 March, 1843 ; m. John Everett 
Herrick of Peabody. 4. Franklin Webster, 6 b. 28 Dec, 1S44 ; m. Isabelle 
\V. Taylor ; merchant in New York City. 5. Thomas Perley, 6 b. 4 Feb., 
1847; d. 17 April, 1877, unm. ; law-student. 



9 8 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

January, 1715-16, who died 25 March, 1716. The mother 
died nine days after the child was born ; and he married 
secondly Abial Foster, and had another son of the same 
name. Dorman has always been a noted name in the town, 
especially in the last hundred years of its existence ; but 
the name will undoubtedly be extinguished with this gene- 
ration. 

Zerubabel Endicott, born 14 Feb., 1664, was son of 
Dr. Zerubabel and Mary Endicott of Salem, and grandson 
of Gov. John and Elizabeth (Gibson) Endicott. He mar- 
ried Grace, daughter of Samuel Symonds of Boxford, July, 
1690. He d. 1706, aged forty-two years. Ch. : 1. Grace, 2 
b. 10 April, 1691 ; m. Samuel Killam of Wilmington, 21 
Dec, 1 71 5. 2. Zerubabel, 2 b. 10 Dec, 1692. 3. Eliza- 
beth, 2 b. 8 May, 1695, in Topsfield ; m. John Perkins of 
Ipswich. 4. John, 2 b. 22 Dec, 1697, in Topsfield ; d. 2 
Feb., 1697-98, in Topsfield. 5. Mehitable, 2 b. 14 Aug., 
1699, in Topsfield ; m. John Hart of Lynn. 6. Phebe ; 2 
m. Ebenezer Jones of Wilmington. 7. Hannah ; 2 was 
never married. The son Zerubabel married Elizabeth 
(Phillips), widow of his cousin Robert Edwards Endicott, 
and died 16 May, 1737, childless. His sisters inherited 
his property ; and thus all the land left by the governor 
and his son, the doctor, in Topsfield and Boxford, went out 
of the name of Endicott. His wife died before him. On 
the death of Zerubabel (the son), there were living in New 
England only his cousin Samuel and his family (by the 
name of Endicott), descendants of the governor. 

Joseph Hale came with his widowed mother from 
Newbury about 1691. He was born in Newbury 20 Feb., 
1670-71, and was son of Thomas Hale. His mother was 
Mary, daughter of Richard and Alice (Bosworth) Hutchin- 
son, who was baptized at North Muskham, Nottshire, Eng., 
28 Dec, 1630. The widow, in 1693, owned two hundred 
and eighty acres of land in Boxford, half of which she agreed 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 99 

to give her son Joseph, if he would marry Mary Watson, 
which he afterwards did (see William Watson, p. 95). 
The land where the Third-District schoolhouse now stands 
was early in his possession, and he probably settled near 
there. He owned considerable land here, and was a man 
quite prominent in the business of the town, serving as se- 
lectman, representative to the General Court, &c. He was 
successively ensign, lieutenant, and captain in the militia, 
and on the early records is termed " Clerk of the Band." 
He m. 1 st, Mary, dau. of William Watson of Boxford, 15 
Dec, 1693, who d. 1 Feb., 1707-08. He m. 2d, widow 
Joanna Dodge of Ipswich, (pub.) 19 Sept., 1708. He d. 13 
Feb., 1 76 1, lacking only seven days of completing his nine- 
tieth year. He was the ancestor of all the Hales that 
ever resided in Boxford, and of thousands in this and 
other States. Their large family of fifteen children was as 
follows: 1. Joseph, 2 * b. 23 Aug., 1694. 2. Jacob, 2 b. — 
Aug., 1695; m. 1st, Hannah Goodhue; 2d, Mary Harri- 
man of Rowley; d. 17 April, 1731. 3. Mary, 2 b. 1 Oct., 
1697; d. 28 Aug., 1722. 4. Ambrose, 2 b. 10 Feb., 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Hale residents in 
Boxford from Joseph's son Joseph : — 

Joseph 2 m. 1st, Mary Hovey, 5 Dec., 1723, who d. 25 May, 1753, aged 
fifty-seven years. He m. 2d, widow Sarah Hovey, 20 Sept., 1753. He m. 
3d, widow Lydia Brown, 1759. He m. 4th, Susanna Fellows of Ipswich, 
1771. He d. 5 Oct., 1778 ; was deacon of the First Church. Ch. : 1. Mary, 3 
b. 14 Jan., 1724-25. 2. Jonathan, 3 b. 5 Dec, 1729; d. 24 June, 1731. 3. 
Sarah, 3 b. 6 Feb., 1731-32 ; m. Thomas Baker, jun., of Topsfield. 4. Jona- 
than, 3 b. 14 Feb., 1733-34 ; d. of smallpox, Feb., 1757. 5. Joseph, 7 ' b. 14 
Sept., 1727. 6. Susanna 3 (by second wife), b. 2 Dec, 1756 ; m. Joseph 
Symonds. 

Joseph* m. Sarah Jackson of Topsfield, 7 Dec, 1749, who d. 24 April, 
1813, at the age of eighty-four years. Ch. : 1. Sarah, 4 b. 13 Nov., 1751 ; 
m. John Platts of Bradford. 2. Mary, 4 b. 22 May, 1754; m. Levi Good- 
ridge. 3. Joseph, 4 b. 5 July, 1756; d. 9 Nov., 175S. 4. Hannah, b. 31 
Oct., 1758; m. Caleb Jackson of Rowley. 5. Joseph* b. 5 June, 1761. 6. 
Mehitable, 4 b. 14 Nov., 1763; m. John Merrill of Rowley. 

Joseph 4 m. Martha, dau. of John and Hannah (Wells) Friend of Wen- 
ham, 6 Oct., 1796; and d. 12 May, 181S. Ch. : 1. Sarah, 5 b. 18 April, 



100 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1^98-99; m. Joanna Dodge and Hannah Symonds. 5. 
Moses, 2 b. 25 Dec., 1701 ; first minister in Chester, N. H. 
(see his biography). 6. Sarah, 2 b. 6 April, 1704; m. Jacob 
Kimball. 7. Abner, 2 b. 2 Aug., 1706; m. Ruth Perkins. 
8. Hepzibah, 2 b. 29 Sept., 1709 ; m. John Curtis of Middle- 
ton. 9. Lydia, 2 b. 23 March, 1710-11 ; m. Nathan Perley. 
10. Margaret, 2 b. 23 Feb., 1712-13 ; m. Amos Kimball. 
n. Thomas, 2 b. 8 Jan., 1714-15 ; m. Mary Kimball : father 
of Dr. William Hale. 12. John, 2 b. 12 July, 1717 ; m. 
Priscilla Peabody : built the Lowe mansion. 13. Hannah, 2 
b. 27 April, 1719; .m Benjamin Batchelder. 14. Benja- 
min, 2 b. 2 March, 1721-22 ; d. 4 Jan., 1722-23. 15. Mary, 2 
b. 14 Jan., 1724-25. Most of the sons settled here, and 
had numerous descendants. Dr. Joseph Hale of Miller's 
Corners, Ontario County, N.Y. ; Hon. Eugene Hale (A.M. 
at Bowdoin, 1869), M. C. from Maine; Hon. Artemas 
Hale of Bridgewater, Mass., M. C. from Massachusetts, — 
are descendants. 

Ephraim Sheldon (or Shalt on, as it is spelled on the 
town-records) married Jane Peard in Lynn, 30 April, 1694. 
He immediately settled in Boxford, where the following 

179S; lives in Boxford, unm. 2. Martha, 5 b. 14 Dec, 1799; d. 12 March, 
180S. 3. JoIui, s b. 9 Aug., 1S01. 4. Hannah, 5 b. 13 Aug., 1S03 ; d. 3 
March, 1823. 5. Joseph, 5 b. 26 Sept., 1805; m. Martha W. Reed; d. 29 
April, 1872. 6. Daniel, 5 b. 25 July, 1S07 ; d. 17 Sept., 1S31. 7. Martha, 5 b. 
10 July, 1809; m. Israel Dwinnell of Rowley. 8. Israel, 5 b. 18 Jan., 1812; 
m. Fannie A. Holmes. 9. Isaac, 5 b. 5 May, 1814; m. Margaret Howe of 
Ipswich ; d. 26 Oct., 1875. 

John s m. Matilda Ann Bailey of Wenham, 24 Nov., 1825. Ch. : 1. 
Hannah, 6 b. 3 Oct., 1826; m. Ancill Dorman, Esq. 2. Matthew? b. 16 
April, 1S2S. 3. Alfred, 6 b. 11 Nov., 1829. 4. John, 6 b. 22 Aug., 1831. 5. 
William, 6 b. 7 Oct., 1833; d. 4 Dec, 1862. 6. Matilda Ann, 6 b. 12 April, 
1S36; m. Daniel W. Conant. 7. Amanda, 6 b. 19 June, 1S3S; m. Alfred 
Kimball; d. 27 May, i860. 8. Harrison, 6 b. S Oct., 1840; d. unm., in the 
Rebellion, 6 Feb., 1S63. 9- Isaac, 6 b. 6 Aug., 1844; m. Mrs. Martha A. 
Walker. 10. Daniel, 6 b. 12 June, 1846. 11. Mary Jane, 6 b. 24 May, 1S50. 

Matthew b m. Sarah S. Janes, 23 Nov., 1S52 ; and d. in the Rebellion, 
15 Aug., 1S63. Ch. : 1. Ellen Maria, 7 b. 2t Nov., 1S55. 2. Lewis Dayton, 7 
b. 7 Feb., 1857. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. IOI 

children were born: i. William, b. 13 Jan., 1694. 2. 
Rebecca, b. 20 May, 1697. 3. Ephraim, b. 13 June, 1699. 

4- (son), b. 5 Sept., 1701. 5. (dau.), b. 1 Sept., 

1703. 6. (son), b. 13 Feb., 1706. Nothing more is 

known concerning this family ; probably removed to Maine. 

Robert Willis married Eunice Stiles, 15 Dec, 1 . 

Ch., born in Boxford : 1. Sarah, b. 13 Dec, 1 ; " Sarah, 

daughter of Goodwife Willis," baptized in Topsfield church, 
29 April, 1694. 2. Robert, b. 27 March, 16 — ; baptized 
23 May, 1697. The family became dependent upon the 
town for the necessaries of life. Among similar records 
we find that, 20 Jan., 1731-32, Stephen Peabody and 
Thomas Redington were chosen to supply Robert Willis 
and his wife with "necessaries for their comfortable sub- 
sistance." 

Sherwin. — A Frances Sherwin was of Boxford, 1696, 
23 Nov., when she married Isaac Cummings of Ipswich. 
An Ebenezer Sherwin married about 1700, and had several 
children born here. These two might have come to Box- 
ford with their parents before 1696 ; however, it is con- 
jectural. By his wife Susanna, Ebenezer had children born 
here: 1. Hannah, b. 6 Aug., 1701. 2. Jonathan, b. 8 Jan., 
1703-04. 3. Ebenezer, b. 5 Jan., 1705-06. His widow 
died 29 Oct., 1762, aged eighty-three years. Both of the 
sons settled here, and the name was quite common till 
within a century. Most of them at last removed to 
Rindge, N.H. Thomas Sherwin, for forty years principal 
of the English High-School in Boston, was a descendant. 

Peter Shumway was in Topsfield as early as 1677. In 
1682, with James Waters, he was chosen by Topsfield to 
"ring swine." He was in Topsfield in 1686, and probably 
came to Boxford very soon after. He undoubtedly resided 
near Capt. John Peabody, as he calls Peabody his " neigh- 
bor." Shumway made a will, which was proved in July, 
1695. His will was, that his widow and sons should carry 



102 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

on the farm together. By his wife Frances he had chil- 
dren (all born in Topsfield) : I. Peter, b. 6 June, 1678. 
2. John, b. 20 Jan., 1679. 3. Samuel, b. 2 Nov., 1681. 4. 
Dorcas, b. 16 Oct., 1683. 5. Joseph, b. 13 Oct., 1686. 
His son Peter married Maria Smith about 1700, and had 
six children born in Boxford. The family removed to 
Oxford, Mass., in 1714. 

Sprague. — " Eaffae," son of James (?) and Sarah 
Sprague, died (born?) 3 April, 169-. — Tozvn-Records. 

Thomas VVilkins, son of Thomas Wilkins, one of the 
proprietors of the farms at Will's Hill, then in Salem (now 
in Middleton), married Elizabeth Towne of Topsfield, 19 
Dec, 1694, and settled in that part of Boxford which was 
afterwards included in Middleton. Their children were as 
follows, viz. : 1. Elizabeth, b. 10 Nov., 169- 2. Hannah, b. 
29 April, 169- 3. Mary, b. 23 March, 169- 4. Thomas, b. 
21 March, 1700; m. Miriam Upton of Reading. 5. Heze- 
kiah, b. 15 April, 1702; m. Elizabeth Upton of Reading. 

6. Miriam, b. 25 Aug., 1704. 7. (dau.), b. 12 Jan., 

1705-06. 8. (son), b. 26 March, 1709. 

Henry Wilkins was here as early as 1691. Bray Wil- 
kins, probably brother of Thomas and Henry, also settled 
here subsequent to Thomas' marriage, and had several 
children. When Middleton was incorporated in 1728 
these several Wilkins families were set off to said town ; 
and since that time the name has not been known here. 
The great-grandfather of these three Wilkinses was Lord 
John VVilkins of Wales. 

Luke Hovey, born in Topsfield, 3 May, 1676, was son 
of John Hovey of that town. He married Susanna, dau. 
of Moses Pillsbury, 25 Oct., 1698, who was born 1 Feb., 
1677. Mr. Hovey came to Boxford after the birth of his 
first child, and built the Hovey house, which was taken 
down by a descendant a few years since. It was situated 
on the Bradford road, about a quarter of a mile north of 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 103 

the Second Church. The site chosen for his residence 
was on the southerly slope of a hill at the base of which 
was a stretch of meadow and a pond. He died 3 1 Oct., 
1 75 1, aged seventy-five years. His widow survived him 
until 22 Dec, 1767, when she died at the age of ninety 
years and ten months. Their sons resided here, and had 
many descendants, some of whom are the family of the late 
Thomas S. Hovey. His son Luke settled near Mr. John 
Pearl's present residence. This settler's children were as 
follows, viz. : 1. Susanna, 2 b. 25 July, 1699. 2. Dorcas, 2 b. 
10 May, 1701 ; m. John Foster of Andover. 3. Hannah, 2 
b. 18 July, 1703. 4. Elizabeth, 2 b. 3 Oct., 1705; m. Benj. 
Kimball of Wenham. 5. Luke, 2 b. 18 May, 1708; m. Dor- 
cas Kimball of Bradford, and widow Esther Runnells ; had 
nine children. 6. Abigail, 2 b. 6 July, 1710. 7. Joseph, 2 * 

b. 17 July, 1 71 2. 8. , 2 b. 3 Dec, 17 — . 9. . 2 

For more early settlers, see Appendix F. 

* The following is the line of descent of the present Hovey residents of 
Boxford from Luke's son Joseph : — 

Joseph" m. Rebecca Stickney of Bradford, 21 March, 1743-44, who d. 19 
Feb., 1788. He d. 23 Dec, 17S5. Was deacon of the Second Church. 
Ch. : 1. Dolly, 3 b. 30 Dec, 1744 ; m. Samuel Clark of Danvers. 2. Joseph? 
b. 23 May, 1746. 3. Lucy, 3 b. 15 March, 174S; m. Thomas Cross of Brad- 
ford. 4. Ivory, 3 b. 14 July, 1750; m. Lucy Peabody ; d. Sept., 1832. 5. 
Lois, 3 b. 24 Sept., 1752 ; d. 5 Oct., 1758. 6. Rebecca, 3 b. 15 Dec, 1754 ; m. 
Amos Perley. 7. Amos, 3 b. 31 May, 1757. 8. Lois, 3 b. 14 June, 1759; m. 
Amos Gage. 9. Thomas, 3 b. 9 Feb., 1762. 

Joseph 1 m. Mary Porter, 17 March, 1773, who d. 1 May, 1S19. Ch. : 
1. Moses, 4 b. 7 April, 1773. 2. Joseph, 4 b. 31 Oct., 1776; d. 6 May, 1S16. 
3. Aaron, 4 b. 3 Feb., 1778 ; d. 16 May, 1S1S. 4. Mary, 4 b. 1 Nov., 1781. 5. 
Hannah, 4 b. 16 Oct., 1783 ; d. 1 Jan., 1815. 6. Rebecca, 4 b. 17 April, 1788 ; 
d. 10 Sept., 1S1S. 7. Rufus Porter, 4 b. 5 Feb., 1790. 8. Thomas Stichney f A 
b. 18 Sept., 1792. 

ThoTTias S. A m. Sarah C. Parker, 4 Nov., 1822. Ch. : 1. Orvilla Law- 
rison, s b. 28 Feb., 1823. 2. Lucy Por.ter, 5 b. 6 Oct., 1826. 3. Albert Parker, s 
b. 23 Nov., 182S. 4. Joseph Henry, 5 b. 30 April, 1830. 5. Edward 
Beecher, 5 b. 3 April, 1832. 




CHAPTER V. 

1685-1700. 

Sir Edmund Andros. — King William's War. — Military Mat- 
ters. — Trouble between Boxford and Topsfield ; the 
Dividing-Line settled. — Other Bounds settled. — Roads 
Laid out. — Our Ancient Tavern. — Taxes. — Town Meet- 
ings. — Sundry Town Offices. — Commons, and their Pas- 
turage. — Witchcraft. — An Alarm from the Savages. — 
First Meeting-House in Boxford. 

'OR several years after the incorporation of Box- 
ford, the colony was in excitement, and in rebel- 
lion against the Government. In 1686 King 
James II. took the control of the colony into his 
own hands, and sent over Sir Edmund Andros, with a 
number of assistants, to be the colonial governor. Andros 
conducted his government in tyranny and oppression, and 
thereby causing his subjects to "groan" under his injus- 
tice and cruelty. Smith, in his History of Neiv York 
(p. 63), gives a just idea of his character in a very few 
lines : " He knew no law but the will of his master ; and 
Kirk and Jefferies were not fitter instruments than he 
to execute the despotic projects of James II." He was 
checked in the midst of his oppressive measures by the 
abdication of the king. This had been expected by the 
colony, and eagerly desired. The Revolution was daring- 
ly commenced in New England ; and on the morning of 
April 18, 1689, Andros and fifty of his supporters were 

seized and confined, and the old government resumed 
104 






HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 105 

{Holmes I., 475]. Boxford was free in expressing its 
mind against Andros' government, and earnestly wished 
that Bradstreet would again take the gubernatorial chair. 
The following instructions were given, 6 May, 1689, to 
Capt. John Peabody,* the representative to the General 
Court, that had met to settle the affairs concerning the 
re-institution of the old government : — 

" Wee the free houelclers and in habetanc of the Towen of Boxford 
being vary fensabul of and thankfull to god for his great marcies to 
us in delivering vs from the Tiereny and opresion of thes ill men vndr 
whoes Jniustes & Cruelty we have fo long groned with all Rendring 
our harty thanks to thoes so worthy & honerabul jentilmen who have 
been jngaged in foe good and nacesary a worck as the Confarvation of 
our peace fine that Revelution yet being also apprehancive of the 
many in Conveniencies and hazerds of the present vnsetelment of our 
affaiers doe declear that we doe expact that our honerad gouerner & 
dapety governer and asistanc Elactad & Sworn by the free men of this 
Colony in May 1686 to gather with the dapetyes then sent dauen by 
the Respactive Towens to the Cort the[n] haulden and which was 
never legally defolved shall Come and Reafuem and exarcies the gou- 
erment as a general Cort a Cording to our Charter on the nienth day 
of may in Sewing nex & in So doing wee doe hear by promis and 
ingage to aied and asist them to the vtmost of our power with our 
persons and estates praying god to gied them in the manigment of our 
ardeous affaiers and wee doe hope that all thoes that are Trew frends 
to the peace and prosparety of this land will Radely and hartely Joyen 
with us hear in." 

To the session of the General Court, which convened 
June 5, following, John Peabody, sen., and Thomas Perley, 
sen., were chosen representatives, — they to serve only 
one at a time. They were instructed " not to consent to 
set up any government contrary to our Charter privileges." 

King James II., as we have before stated, fled to France, 
and stirred up the French to a revolution with England. 
The governor of Canada, as a good and loyal subject of the 
French king, began to assault the English colonies in New 

* For list of Representatives, see Appendix C. 



106 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

England. While yet in office, Gov. Andros and council 
sent out invitations to the several towns for volunteers to 
again enter the service. In response to this call, three men 
entered the service from Boxford. These were Ephraim 
Smith, who was out seventeen weeks; John Tyler, twenty 
weeks ; and Jonathan Foster, four weeks. In regard to 
their pay, the town agreed, 1 1 March, 1689-90, to give them 
six shillings per week for all the time they were away from 
home. 

In King William's War, — as this conflict was called, 
because that William, Prince of Orange, having succeeded 
James II., was now reigning on the English throne, — the 
French Canadians secured the services of the Eastern 
Indians to assist in carrying on the war with the colonies. 
The first blood was shed by the Indians at North Yar- 
mouth, Me., in September, 1688 ; and thus commenced the 
conflict which for five long years continued with greater 
or less atrocity on the frontiers. Boxford was not wholly 
free from apprehensions that the aborigines might try its 
inhabitants next. On the 1st of July, 1691, three persons 
were killed and some houses burnt at Amesbury, Mass. 
Another, and still nearer, scene of the barbarity of the 
savages was the murder of the Goodrich family in Byfield. 
This last deed was committed by some Indian allies of the 
Canadian French, who, tradition says, had been overcome 
by a party of Englishmen in Andover ; and, while return- 
ing to their homes, passing through the north-western part 
of Boxford, which was then almost uninhabited, through 
what is now Georgetown, into Byfield (Rowley), where they 
wreaked their vengeance upon this quiet and inoffensive 
family. 

In 1689 the first stock of ammunition ever kept by the 
town was procured. The selectmen met on the 8th of 
January of that year, and made a rate of about eight pounds 
for the purchase of said stock ; and Moses Tyler, Thomas 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 107 

Perley, Thomas Andrews, and John Andrews were ordered 
to gather it, and lay it out for " poudr & bullets and 
flents." Additions were made to the town-stock from time 
to time ; and during the time of the Indian hostilities new 
additions were often made.* March, 1691, Boxford voted 
that the soldiers in the town should get themselves two 
pounds of powder apiece, and bullets and flints in proportion. 
On the 15 th of the following December the town " chose 
some men to join with the committee of militia to advise with 
them concerning men who should go out to war from time 
to time and to engage with them in that affair ; and their 
names are John Andrews and Daniel Wood, troopers ; 
Sergeant Chadwick, Corporal Thomas Andrews, Corporal 
Joseph Peabody, William Foster, sen., and Samuel Sy- 
monds." 

The regiment to which the Boxford company at this 
time belonged was made up of the Ipswich, Rowley, 
Gloucester, Wenham, Topsfield, and Boxford companies. 

Oct. 6th, following the incorporation of Boxford, Topsfield 
chose a committee to treat with the Boxford people about 
their assisting in maintaining the ministry in Topsfield. 
A rate was made in Boxford expressly for the support of 

* In 1690 three pounds was spent for powder and shot for the use of the 
town. 

The following are records of various purchases of ammunition made by 
the town during a few of the subsequent years, to replenish their stock, 
viz. : — 

"2S June. 1694. delivered to Sargent Chadduck of the town money by 
order of the Selectmen for powdr and shot the Sumbe of — 09 — 03 — 02." 

" 30th June 1694. Received of Sargent Chadduck one hundred and twelve 
pound of bullets [in] bages and three hundred flints which comes to two 
pound ten Shillings — 02 — 10 — 06 also a Small barrel of powder." 

" 16 of Oct 1694, layed out in powder and shot and bullets and bringing 
£8-19-8." 

" 14. August. 96. dilevared to quartermaster Tiler of the town stock of 
powder and bullets and flintes : ten pound of powder Sixty pound of bullets 
and 50 flintes and hee is to keep this part of the Town Stock teall the Select 
men See Caues to lodg it in Sum other place." 



I08 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the ministry, annually, and was divided between the 
churches of Topsfield, Bradford, and Andover, in propor- 
tion to the number of the inhabitants that attended divine 
services at each place. Twelfth of December, 1689, the 
town voted " that those men in Boxford that hear the Word 
dispensed at Topsfield shall pay this year fifteen pounds, 
five of it in silver, to the ministry, and the rest of the town 
that go to Andover and Bradford to hear shall pay propor- 
tionably where they do hear." Fifteen pounds was paid to 
Topsfield for the support of the ministry, annually, until 
1693, when it was increased to eighteen pounds. 

A coldness was now creeping over the Topsfield church, 
which was not entirely thrown off till years after the sep- 
aration — in ecclesiastical concerns — took place between 
the two towns. Fault was first found with the insufficient 
number of pews, and the seating of the Boxford people. 
In those times the people were seated, in respect to 
the position of the pew, according to their respectability, 
wealth, or age. Fault was often found because some had 
more honorable seats than others. On the 14th of Janu- 
ary, 1690, Topsfield chose a committee to "understand" 
the grievances of the Boxford people, so that in some way 
"peace and love" might be continued between the two 
towns ; but the records do not inform us that any thing 
was immediately further done. A spirit of alleviated 
animosity seemed to prevail. 

However, there were other difficulties between the two 
towns at this time, principally in reference to a dividing- 
line. After Boxford was incorporated, Topsfield obstinate- 
ly refused to settle the line. In 1689, Dec. 12, Boxford 
"chose Ensign John Perley, Quartermaster Thomas Per- 
ley, and Corporal Thomas Andrews to go to Rowley some 
time this winter, and inquire of the town of Rowley if 
there is any agreement between Rowley and Topsfield or 
Ipswich concerning their line between Rowley and Tops- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 109 

field from Quartermaster Perley's to Ipswich River." At 
the same time, John Peabody, sen., John Perley, Thomas 
Andrews, Robert Ames, sen., Joseph Bixby, and Joseph 
Andrews were chosen a committee to meet with the Tops- 
field people, and run the line the following April. The 
line was not run the following April ; and the next we 
hear about the matter is the appointment of John Perley, 
Thomas Perley, Samuel Symonds, Thomas Andrews, and 
John Peabody, in March, 1695, as a committee to perform 
the same duty. The next March, Capt. Wicom (of Row- 
ley) was chosen to help the committee, if he would for 
just compensation. We will not take up more space in 
pursuing the doings of the many committees which were 
appointed by the town almost annually for the purpose of 
settling the line between this town and Topsfield. When 
the committees of the towns agreed to meet for this pur- 
pose, one of them would always be absent ; and we are 
sorry to say the Boxford committee were most often the 
guilty party. Perhaps the greatest reason of their non- 
agreement was the Gould and Endicott farms. These had 
originally both been included in the limits of Rowley Vil- 
lage ; and the Boxford people still wished to have them 
annexed to their town, as the farms were large, and the 
owners paid a considerable share of the town-rates. But 
inasmuch as old Zaccheus Gould had years before " given " 
his farm to Topsfield, the Topsfield people thought it was 
rightly theirs. In 1699 Boxford petitioned the General 
Court to have these farms lawfully annexed to their town. 
Copies of the early grants, and so forth, were obtained, and 
the petition received a hearing. A committee was sent 
out by the General Court to view the farms ; and it was 
afterward ordered that Boxford should have the Endicott, 
and Topsfield the Gould farm. Before the town petitioned 
the General Court they sent to Rowley to receive their 
authority to settle the lines, for the authority vested in the 



HO HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

town at the time of its incorporation was not deemed explicit 
enough. The following is a copy of the communication 
and its answer : * — 

" To our loving Neighbors of Rowley, and, in some sense, 
our Fathers. 

" Gentlemen, — We give you many thanks for all the former kind- 
nesses we have received from yourselves ; yet, notwithstanding, we 
would entreat you to add one more to all that we have received from 
you already, and that is, to grant our town the same power and 
privilege to settle our bounds with all the towns that do adjoin upon 
us, on every side, as you yourselves had, when we were both of us 
one town. We have had many meetings with Topsfield and Salem 
men, and they refuse to settle bounds with us, unless we can show a 
grant, either from the General Court, or from the town of Rowley, 
that we have power to transact in such settlements, as other towns 
have. 

" So we remain your loving friends, to serve in what we may, hop- 
ing you will be pleased to grant us our desire herein. 

"John Peabody, "| 
Thomas Perley, I Selectmen 
John Andrews, j* B $ ord , 
John Eames, 
" Dated this 21st day of April, 1699." 

(answer.) 

" We, whose names are underwritten, having been appointed by the 
town of Rowley May nth, 1699, to empower the town of Boxford to 
settle bounds with the towns of Salem, Topsfield, Andover, and Brad- 
ford, or any other that the township of Rowley formerly granted was 
bordering upon ; we do fully and absolutely grant and give to the 
town of Boxford as full power to settle any bounds, or run any line 
or lines, with any town or towns, farm or farms, that was formerly ad- 
joining to the bounds of the town of Rowley before Boxford had the 
grant of a township, and what power we formerly had or still have. 
We resign up our sole power to Boxford town to transact any such 
business as if we, ourselves, were actually possessed of said town- 
ship of Boxford, as formerly we were ; always reserving to ourselves 

* The letter to Rowley is copied from Gage's History of Rotvley : the 
answer is taken from our town-records. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. Ill 

the common land that lieth in the Village undivided, as may appear 
by an agreement bearing date the seventh of July, 1685, and the pay- 
ment of the twenty shillings per annum in silver as expressed in said 
agreement, by Joseph Bixby, sen., John Peabody, William Foster, 
Samuel Symonds, and Moses Tyler, sen., and to be paid by them to 
the town of Rowley, or their orders, while Boxford have no Orthodox 
minister settled among them, — with the three pounds that will be 
due the seventh of July next, and already ordered to Captain Wicom. 

" Dated May 12th, 1699, by Daniel Wicom, Joseph Boynton, and 
Samuel Platts of Rowley, and confirmed at a legal meeting of the 
town of Rowley, per an act of said town, May 16th, 1699. 

" This is a true copy taken out of the town-book of Rowley, as 
attest, Joseph Boynton, clerk for Rowley. 

"This is a true copy of that instrument, that the town of Rowley 
gave to us of Boxford, signed and attested to by Joseph Boynton, 
clerk of the town of Rowley, and copied out by John Peabody ; as 
attest, John Peabody, clerk for Boxford." 

At last, in 1 73 1 , after quarrelling for forty-six years, 
Topsfield and Boxford came to an agreement, of which the 
following is a copy : — 

" We, whose names are .underwritten, being a committee chosen 
and empowered by the towns of Topsfield and Boxford, respectively, 
to settle the bounds between Topsfield and Boxford according to the 
last resolve of the General Court, Anno 1707, have accordingly 
settled the line between said Topsfield and Boxford, from the apple- 
tree in Captain Perley's field to a stake and heap of stones at the 
south-easterly corner of Mr. Baker's farm, now in Boxford, and from 
thence to a clam, called Andrews' dam, near Mr. Thomas Gould's 
house, and from thence, it being the place where the water now runs 
under said dam, southerly to a stake and heap of stones by the Fish- 
ing Brook, on the easterly side of the rivulet running into said brook, 
and then as the said brook runs into the river called Ipswich River, 
then up said river to Middleton line. 

" Dated at Topsfield, June 17th, 1731. 

"John Hovey, Thomas Perley, Jr., 

Thomas Perley, John Curtis, 
Thomas Gould, John Andrews." 

Not much trouble was experienced in settling the rest of 
the town's boundaries. In July, 1696, the bounds were 



112 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

fixed between Boxford and the " Will's Hill men," * as fol- 
lows, viz. : " From a tree, marked, by the river about forty- 
rods above the Indian Bridge ; and from thence upon a 
north-west course to a heap of stones a little beyond Wil- 
liam Way's house; and from thence upon a north-west 
course to a heap of stones by Pout-Pond Brook ; and 
thence upon the same course to a forked white-oak tree, 
which is now down, and a heap of stones in the room of it ; 
and from thence northerly to a rock in Beech Brook, where 
the brooks meet ; and thence upon a north-westerly course 
to a white-oak tree, marked ; and thence upon the same 
course to a crooked white-oak tree marked with Bee." The 
Boxford committee that run this line were John Perley, 
Thomas Andrews, and Samuel Symonds. 

In 1700 the Ipswich bounds were perambulated and 
settled anew by Abraham How and William Howlett of 
Ipswich, and John Perley and Thomas Perley of Boxford. 
Their report, containing a description of the bounds, is as 
follows : — 

" We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, being appointed by 
Ipswich and Boxford respectively to perambulate the bounds be- 
tween said towns, met this day, 8 April, 1700 ; and the following 
bounds are them which are the standing bounds betwixt the said 
towns : First beginning at the swamp called the Ash Swamp, where 
there is a heap of stones by a path side upon the west side of said 
swamp ; thence running westwardly of said swamp to a little white- 
oak bush with a heap of stones about it ; thence running on the same 
line to a heap of stones; thence running on the same line to two red- 

* " Will's Hill men " were Thomas Fuller and his son Thomas, and 
Thomas, son of old Bray Wilkins, who had, several years previously, pur- 
chased and settled on the grants of Major-Gen. Dennison and Richard 
Bellingham, now situated in Middleton. They were called " Will's Hill 
men " because " Will's Hill " — so called from " old William," the last sur- 
vivor of an Indian tribe that originally inhabited it — was a part of their 
domain. Their possessions were annexed to Salem; and in 1728, quite a 
village having sprung up, they formed a part of the newly incorporated 
town of Middleton. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 113 

oak trees with stones by them, and some stones placed betwixt them ; 
thence running upon the same line to a heap of stones upon a ridge 
by the side of a meadow, called Perley's Meadow ; thence running on 
the same line to a heap of stones in Lt. Thomas Perley's field that 
has a walnut bush in the heap of stones; thence to a lopped white- 
oak that is dead, with stones about it ; thence on the same line to 
a marked red-oak tree with a heap of stones about it ; thence on a 
straight line to an apple-tree in Lt. Thomas Perley's field. As witness 
our hands, Abraham How, John Perley, William Howlett, Thomas 
Perley. This is a true copy of the return of the committee that did 
settle the bounds between Ipswich and Boxford, so far as said towns 
join together, and signed their doings therein, April 8th, 1700. As 
attest, John Peabody, clerk for Boxford." 

As soon as the town was incorporated, an open road was 
laid out from Andover bounds to Topsfield along by Joseph 
Bixby's house. Also another, from " Zaccheus Curtis' 
house to the above-said highway, or roadway, along by the 
Works * through Abel Langley's farm ; also, from the 
Works along by the south side of the Plain and so on to 
John Stiles', and so into the above-said way." Abraham 
Redington, sen., John Perley, Samuel Symonds, Moses Ty- 
ler, sen., and John Peabody, sen., were the committee to 
lay out " all needful roads," doing as little damage as pos- 
sible to the owners of the land. Boxford voted that " this 
committee, or others for highways, shall accordingly give 
notice to all persons that they do lay any highway through 
their lands to be there ; it is also further agreed that when 
the highways are to be laid through any man's, or men's, 
land, that always such man, or men, shall have as much 
power in ordering where the way shall go as any one of 
the committee till it is gone through his land." 

Nov. 23, 1686, the committee laid out another open 
highway "from Maple Meadow by John Peabody's house, 
and so along to Topsfield's common-land in Bear-hill Plain, 
doing as little damage as may be : and it lies along in the 

* The iron-works are meant. 



114 HISTORY OF BOXFORD, 

old path to John Andrews' slough, and so as near the 
hilly ground on the left hand as it can conveniently be laid 
to the next slough, and then still by the hills to Thomas 
Andrews' barn, and so to Crane Brook along the old path- 
way to Topsfield land." Another road was laid out " from 
Goodman Buswell's, through Goodman Redington's pas- 
ture to John Stiles' barn, and so along to the Works on 
the south side of the Plain, and so along to Zaccheus Cur- 
tis' barn." Also, " the committee agreed to lay out a way 
through Abel Langley's farm by the Works to the main 
roadway, as above." 

These roads which we have just enumerated were all 
laid out in 1686, and, as may be recognized, were all situ- 
ated south of the East Parish village. No more roads 
were laid out for several years. 

It has been truly said of Boxford of late years, that it has 
no hotel. But it is with pleasure that we look back over 
the vista of time, and learn that our early settlers immedi- 
ately turned their attention to the importance of having a 
public table kept in the town. William Foster, at a town- 
meeting held Aug. 19, 1687, was chosen their " ordinary- 
keeper." For several years he kept a kind of public house, 
receiving his license from the town-clerk. On the 12th 
of the following month, after being chosen to keep an 
ordinary, it was voted that the town-meetings should be 
held at his house ; and they probably continued to be held 
there till the meeting-house was finished in 1701, when 
they were held in that. The Foster house undoubtedly 
stood on the site of the late residence of Mr. Dean 
Andrews, deceased. 

In the early settlement of Boxford, taxes were paid in 
corn or other produce, to the satisfaction of the constables, 
who were the collectors ; and if the taxes were not' paid 
by the time fixed by the selectmen, the delinquents had 
to pay one-third more. In 1780 the constables were paid 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 1 15 

three pence on the pound for collecting. In 1684 the town 
rate of Rowley was ,£43 12s. \\d., of which the Villagers 
paid ,£8 Js. yd. 

The " country rate," because of the unsettled state of 
affairs, — the estates not having been valued as yet, — was 
neglected, and the town was reprimanded for not doing 
its duty. A committee of three (1687) was chosen to 
help the selectmen make the rate. Their share of this 
rate for 1688 was jQn ys. \od. It would be well to 
remark, that, during the first half-century of our history as 
a town, a separate rate was made for each charge that was 
brought against the town, — a rate to defray the regular 
annual charges, a minister's rate, a country rate, a rate to 
purchase ammunition, to build any building, or for any 
public improvement. 

The annual election of town officers was usually held in 
the early part of March; but in 1798 it was voted that for 
the future it should be held on the first Monday of 
April. This custom continued till 1848, when it was 
changed to the first Monday of March. Thus it is at the 
present time. Until 1800 the town-meetings were always 
held in the East Parish ; ever since, they have been held 
alternately in both parishes. The first town-meeting in 
the West Parish was held April 6, 1801. We cannot con- 
ceive why they were not held there sooner, as the West 
Parish was nearly as densely populated as the East Parish. 
The early custom of warning town-meetings was very 
curious, and bears quite a contrast to the present method. 
The constables walked from house to house throughout 
the town, telling every voter the date and place of meet- 
ing, and the articles of the warrant. If the day on which 
the meeting was to be held was stormy, it was postponed 
at the discretion of the selectmen. All those voters that 
were absent from the town-meeting were fined, in the 
earlier part of our history, one shilling ; if they were 



Il6 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

only tardy, then the fine was sixpence. Neither could 
they leave until the meeting was dissolved, without permis- 
sion, on the like penalty. The town would surely have a 
large revenue arising, if this law was prevalent at present. 
This appears to have been an unneeded and unnecessary 
practice ; but perhaps it was very useful in getting a full 
meeting, and we do not think it would be a bad plan at the 
present day. 

Surveyors of highways were first chosen in 1687. The 
first men chosen as such were Thomas Redington, Thomas 
Hazen, and Joseph Andrews. The number chosen from 
year to year was irregular, — sometimes only one, and 
other years two or three or more. The number was in- 
creased as the population augmented, and the conveniency 
of the town demanded that the roads should be kept in 
a condition better to facilitate travel. At present there 
are seventeen surveyors' districts, and as many surveyors 
chosen annually, one for each district. 

The office of " fence-viewer " was an early acquisition, 
and those officers have been regularly chosen ever since. 
Grand-jurymen and jurors of trials were regularly chosen. 

" Sealers of leather" were first chosen in Boxford about 
1700. The title indicates the duties of the office. 

The first "sealer of weights and measures" was chosen 
March, 1691, and is recorded in the following words : 
" Corparel Thomas Andrus is Chozen Clark of the marcet to 
fee that all mesuers bee capt in good order a cording to the 
ftandard." Thomas Andrews held the office many years. 

Some of our most prominent citizens were annually 
chosen to the office of " tithing-man." Their duties were, 
to see that the sabbath was well kept, and that all that 
could do so attended church. Various writers have pictured 
the duties of the old-fashioned tithing-man, which would be 
an anomaly to the duties of the present incumbent of that 
honorable offi.ce. During the last few years the office has 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 117 

become unpopular, and in most places it is left vacant. 
For an interesting account of the duties of the tithing- 
men of ye olden time, we would refer our readers to Mrs. 
Stowe's Oldtown Folks. 

One constable only was chosen for the whole town till 
1705, when two were chosen, one for the North, and one 
for the South district.* Thus it is at the present time ; 
one constable is chosen for the West, and one for the 
East Parish. ' The duties have also changed since the 
early times. 

" Commons " were laid out (see p. 40) for common 
pastures in different sections of the town, in which the 
cattle, horses, sheep, and swine were pastured. The ani- 
mals were marked with the mark of the owner, which was 
generally a slit in the ear, or a hole of some peculiar shape ; 
the same being recorded in the town's records. The fol- 
lowing is one of these records : — 

" The Mark of Luke Hovey Jun r for his Cattel and other Creturs 
is as followeth (viz) a Croop of the Right Ear & a hole threw the same 
Ear. 

"Entred May the 14th 1739." 

In 1687 the town ordered, "that all swine in the town 
above three months old shall be ringed from the middle of 
March to the first of November yearly, upon the penalty 

of a week for every swine that shall be found upon 

the Common without a ring in his nose ; and half the 
money so forfeited shall be for the finder, and the other half 

* The following are the earliest constables, i. e., since the incorporation 
of the town: 1686, Robert Stiles; 16S7, William Peabody ; 1688, Thomas 

Perley ; 16S9, John Pe ; 1690, Ephraim Curtis; 1691, Joseph Bixby ; 

1692, Joseph Andrews ; 1693, Abraham Redington ; 1694, John Kimball ; 
1695, John Chadwick; 1696, Daniel Wood; 1697, Thomas Andrews; 169S, 
William Watson; 1699, Samuel Symonds ; 1700, Joseph Hale; 1701, Zac- 
cheus Curtis; 1702, Thomas Perley, jun. ; 1703, Moses Tyler; 1704, John 
Andrews; 1705, John Stiles and Jacob Perley; 1706, Timothy Dorman and 
Job Tyler ; &c. 



Il8 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

shall be for the use of the town." At the same meeting it 
was also ordered, "that all rams within the town shall be 
kept up or sufficiently yoked from the first of August to 
the first of November, upon the penalty of sixpence a time 
that any ram shall be found doing damage, to be paid 
to the owner of the sheep where he doth the damage." The 
owners, on a penalty of two shillings per animal, were to 
"yoke" the swine with a yoke two feet one way by twenty 
inches the other, and place in their nose a suitable ring, 
which was doubtless done to stop them from rooting. Pigs 
over eight weeks old were ordered to be driven daily into 
the woods, during the summer and fall seasons, for the 
purpose of feeding upon the oak-acorns that must have 
been abundant in the heavy growth of oaks that surrounded 
the village in those colonial days. At night they were put 
in some close place of shelter. This practice was continued 
until 1774, when, the pride of the people being no doubt 
touched by the custom, it gradually gave way, and was 
entirely abolished in 181 1. 

In 1695, July 29, John Eames was ordered to make a 
"pound," near Joseph Hale's house; and said Hale to be 
pound-keeper. In March, 1697, the town voted that there 
should be one built by Timothy Dorman's or Joseph Pea- 
body's house, and to be erected at the town's cost. Sept. 
21, 1700, John Eames was ordered to build another 
"pound," in his end of the town, "by Moses Tyler's barn, 
or near it in that road." John Peabody was also ordered 
to build one "between Corporal Peabody's house and 
Timothy Dorman's house, or in some other place in that 
road, as may be convenient ;" also, "Ensign Perley to see 
that there is another pound made and set up by Joseph 
Hale's house," where it had been before voted to be made. 
April 20, 1703, the town voted to build another pound, 
and to set it " between the meeting-house and Abraham 
Redington's house." In connection with impounding cat- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 119 

tie is the office of " field-d rivers," or " Haywards" as they 
were early called. We find scattered through the old 
records various notices of animals being taken up, and 
public notice of the same given. The following is one of 
these notices : — 

" november the 9 th 17 19 

" A Stray hors taken pr Dameg fesant by Jeremiah Perley of box- 
ford cryed and prezed as the Law Directs the hors being of a Dark 
Iron gray trimed and Shod before with fome white spots on his 
back." 

A still older notice, which we find among the records at 
the Salem court-house, is the following : — 

" Zacheus Curtice of Rowley Village hath a bay mare, with a star 
in the forehead, a slitt on the top of her neare eare & a little bit cut 
out of the same eare, & hare of her taile cut, no brand marke seene, 
taken vp for a stray the 21 of December, 1677, prized by John Vinton 
and After Cary at 20 s." 

While the Indians were busily perpetrating their hostili- 
ties along the frontier, the public mind, especially in Essex 
County, was most dreadfully distracted by what has been 
denominated the Witchcraft Delusion. The trouble began 
February, 1692, in a reverend gentleman's family in Salem 
Village. A daughter aged nine, and a niece aged eleven 
years, were the first afflicted. Their physician said that 
" they were under an evil hand." These children accused a 
female Indian servant of pricking, pinching, and torment- 
ing them. Some other persons complained of suffering, 
and others were accused. Complaints and accusations 
continued to be made through the spring and summer, 
throughout the county. A special commission of " oyer 
and terminer" having been issued out to Mr. Stoughton, 
the lieutenant-governor, Major Saltonstall, Major Richards, 
Major Gedney, Mr. Wait Winthrop, Capt. Sewall, and Mr. 
Sergeant, a quorum of them sat at Salem, June 2, 1692. 



120 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Aug. 19, 1692, Rev. George Burroughs was hung for 
witchcraft on Gallows Hill, in Salem. Among the specta- 
tors was Rebecca, wife of Robert Eames of Boxford, who 
was about fifty-three years of age. She was in a house 
near the scene of execution ; and while there " the woman 
of the house " felt a pin stuck into her foot, as she said. 
Rebecca, not being as good as she might have been, was 
pointed out as the one who did it ; and the following war- 
rants — two indictments — were immediately issued for her 
arrest : — 

Province} u Amu RRs ^ -. Gjdidmi & Mari(E 



of the Massachusetts Bay^ ^ & ^ Qua ^ Amuqf Dombli . l6g2% 
in New England ss. 

" The Juriors for our Sov re Lord and Lady the King and Queen 
doe present That Rebeckah Eames wife of Robert Eames of Boxford, 
in the County of Essex, aforesaid. In the year afores d , and divers 
other dayes and times as well before [as] After Certaine detestable 
Arts Called witchcraft & Sorcerey Wickedly Mallishously and felloni- 
ously hath used practised and Exercifed at and in the towne of Andivor 
in the County of Efsex afores d in upon and against one Timothy 
Swan by which said wicked acts the said Timothy Swan the day & 
yeare afores d and divers other dayes and times both before and after 
was and Is Tortured aflicted Consumed Wasted Pined and Tormented 
and alfo for Sundry other Acts of Witchcraft to the said Rebeckah 
Eames Committed and done before and since that time againft the 
peace of our Sou re Lord and Lady the King and Queen theire Crowne 
and dignity and the forme in the Statute In that case made and 
provided." 

[The preceding is entitled : " Indictm 1 ags 1 Rebecka 
Eames For bewitching Tim Swan ; " the following : 
" Indicm 1 ags 1 Rebecka Eames for Covenanting with y e 
Devil."] 

" Essex in the Province \ 

r ,7 **■ , .. r> f " A110 RRs &> Regince Gulielmi 6° Maria 
of the Massachusetts bayy *> 

, r c- , , \ Anglie &*c guar to Anoge Dom 1602. 

in New England ss. ) * J 1 y 

" The Jurior s for o r Sov r lord & lady the King & Queen doe pre- 
sent that Rebeckah Eames Wife of Robert Eames of Boxford in y e 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 121 

County aford About Twenty-Six years past in the Towne of Boxford 
in the County aforesaid Wickedly & fellonously A Covenant with 
The devill Speritt the Devill did make in & by which Wicked Cove- 
nant Shee the Said Rebeckah Eames her soule & body to the Devill 
did give & promifed to serve & obey him & keep his wayes, Con- 
trary to the Stattute of the first yeare of y e Reigne of King James 
the first in that Case made & provided And Against the peace of 
or Soveraigne lord & lady the King & Queen their Crowne & dignity." 
— Witchcraft Records, at Salem, Vol. II., pp. 25, 26. 

These warrants were served, and her examination took 
place on the same day. The following is the testimony in 
the, case : — 

"Rebecca: Eames: Examined: before Salem Majestrates : Aug st 
19 1692: She ownd She had bin in ye snare a month or 2 : & had 
bin perswaded to it : 3 months : & that y e devil apeared to her like a 
Colt very ugly : y e first time : but she would not own y l she had 
bin babtized by him she did not know but y' y e devil did perswade 
her to renounce god & christ & ffolow his wicked wayes & that she 
did take his counsell and that she did afflict Timo : Swan : she did 
not know but that y e devil might ask her body & soul : & she knows 
not but y* she did give him soul & body : afterward she s d she 
did do it & that she would forsake god & his works : & y e devil 
promised her : to give her powr : to avenge her selfe on them that 
offended her afterward she s d y e devil appeared to her 7 year agoe : 
& that he had tempted her to ly : and had made her to afflict per- 
sons but she could not tell their names that she first afflicted. Q. 
who came w h y e devil when he made you a witch. An : A ragged 
girl : they came together and they perswaded me to afflict : & I 
afflicted Mary Warin & an other fayr face : it is about a quarter of a 
year agoe : I did it by sticking of pins, but did you afflict Swan : 
yes but I am sorry for it. O. Where had you your spear A. I 
had nothing but an all. but was it with yo r body or spirit you came 
to hurt these mayds : A. with my spirit: Q. but can you ask their 
forgivnes : A. I wil fall down on my knees: to ask it: of them: She 
would not own that she signed ye devils book when he asked her 
body & soul : but he would have had her done it nor to a burch 
Rign: nor nothing: she s d y e devil was in ye shape of a hors when 
he caried her to afflict: but would not own anybody went with her to 
afflict but ye afflicted s d her son Dan 11 went with her to afflict : O. did 
you not say : ye devil babtized yo r son Dan 11 A. he told me so : 



122 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

but : did you not touch the book nor lay yo r hand on book nor 
paper A. I layd my hand on nothing without it was a peice of 
board : and did you lay yo r hand on y e board when he bid you. A 
Yes : Mary Lascy : s d she had given her son Dan 11 to ye devil : at 2 
years old: & y l her aperition told her so: but: she could not re- 
member it : she was bid to take warin & lascy by y e hand & beg for- 
givnes & did so : & they forgave her : she s d if she had given her son 
Dan" to y e Devil it was in an Angry fitt she did not know but she 
might do it nor I do not know he is a wich but I am afrayd he is : 
mary lascy saw her son Dan 11 stand before her & s d Dan 11 bid his 
mother not Confess he was a Wich : his mother : did not know she sd 
but: she might se him for she saw a burlling: thing: before her: 
Mary Lascy sd she had babtized her: son Dan 11 & y l she had bin 
babtized in five mile Pond : she s d ye reason she feard Dan 11 was a 
witch: was becaus he used dredfull bad words when he was angry: 
and bad wishes, being asked : the age of Dan 11 : sd he was 28 years 
old : she was told she had bin long a witch : then if she gave her 
son to ye devil at 2 years old : she owned she had bin discontented 
since she had bin in league: with y e devil: she knew not but y e 
devil might come once a day : like a mous : or ratt: she s d she knew 
Sarah parker but did not know her to be a wich : but she heard she 
had bin crosd in love & ye devil had come to her & kisd her who was 
with you when you afflicted Swan A. no body but my son Dan 11 he 
was there when I came theether: she would have Dan 11 perswaded to 
Confes : but was told she were : best to perswade him becaus she knew 
him to be a wich : she was ask* if she was at ye execution : she s d she 
was at ye hous below: y e hill : she saw a few folk: the woman of y e 
hous had a pin stuck into her foot : but : she sd she did not doe it : 
but how do you afHick: A. I Consent to it: but have you bin a wich 
26 years. A. no plan (?) remember but 7 : years & have afflicted : 
about a quarter of a year : but : if you have bin a wich so long : why 
did you not afflict before seing you promisd to Serv y e devil : A. 
others: did not Afflict before: and the devil did not require it: but: 
doth not y e devil threaton you if you [do] not do what he sas : A. 
yes he thretens to tere me in peices but did you used : to goe to meet- 
ing on Sabath dayes : yes : but not so often as I should have done: 
what shape did the devil com in when you layd yo r hand on y e 
board: A : I cannot tell excpt it was a mous." — Ibid. 

Mrs. Eames was placed in jail, and received sentence of 
death Sept. 17. For some reason she was not immediately 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 123 

executed, and continued to lie in jail till the following 
March, when she was reprieved by Gov. Phipps. July 22, 
1693, only about four months later, her husband died ; she 
continued a widow till May 8, 172 1, when she died at the 
age of eighty-two years. In 1710 she sent the following 
letter to the General Court, desiring them to restore her 
name to its former purity, and to allow certain bills of 
charge relative to her imprisonment, &c, which was fully 
complied with by that honorable body at their next 
sitting : — 

" Boxford Septem 12 — 1710. 
"to the honred Jentlmen of the Commitey greating It having 
pleased the grate and Jenaral cort to a piont your honars a commity 
to in quire who may be propr to [be] Justified in the bill refering to 
the taking of the attainder and what loss and damedg hes bene sus- 
tained by reasen of the tryalls whitch were for witchcraft In the yere 
1692 Rebecka Ernes releck of Roborth Ems late of boxford dececed 
being aprehended for witchcraft In the yere 1692 some time the 
begineng of ogust and sufered Imprisnment a bove Seven months and 
condemned and afterwards re preved by govrner feps : I Rebechar 
ernes humbly pray and de sier that the attaintir may be tecken of and 
my neme may be re stored a gain with the cost and damedges [that] 
Is sustained thereby to my husbands Esteat : paid in moniy to the 
prision keeper and cort chardges four pounds eaighten shillings for 
the repreve to the goavners dark i lb — 10s — od for provisons and 
other nesecriy chardgs whils imprisened and upon my tryall ex- 
pended by my husband for me whils under those dollful surcum- 
stances I think I may safly say amounted to ten pounds more — 10 — 
00 — 00 Yete If the Attaintur may be taken of and my neme re- 
stored a gaine I am willing to take tene pounds all whitch I leve to 
your honers consideration 

" I re maine you'r humbell Sarvant 

" Rebeckah Emes " 
— {Witchcraft Records; Vol. CXXXV., p. 151, Mass. Archives.] 

Thomas Perley of Boxford was one of the jury during 
these exciting trials. These dreadful affairs are generally 
thought to be the result of the superstition of the times ; 
but there are incidents connected with them which must 
be ascribed to some invisible power of the lower regions. 



124 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

In 1695 an incident, although not occurring in our town, 
was rendered alarmingly interesting to a portion of our 
people. — On the 7th of October, in that year, five Indians 
attacked and plundered the house of John' Brown, who 
lived on the westerly side of Turkey Hill, in West New- 
bury, and captured nine persons, only one of the family 
escaping to tell the tale. Search was instituted, and it 
was found that the savages were approaching the bound- 
aries of Boxford. Night came on — and what a night that 
must have been to our north-eastern settlers ! The next 
morning it was discovered that in the night the Indians 
had changed their course, and were now going to cross 
the Merrimac River. Troops were sent from Rowley and 
Ipswich, who cut off their retreat, secured all the captives 
but one, who was no doubt slain ; and the Indians, after 
severely wounding several of the officers and soldiers, 
escaped. Such were the times, and the settlers had to 
conform to them. 

Coming back to the ecclesiastical matters, we find the 
feeling of discord still prevalent in the Topsfield Church. 
Attempts to settle the boundaries between the two towns 
had not assisted in promoting the union or happiness of 
the church ; and, as we near the close of the seventeenth 
century, the feeling seems to gain a stronger hold. As 
early as 1690 the Boxford people desired to loose their 
connection with the Topsfield church. Dec. 15, 1691, the 
town voted " that the Last Twesday in febewary next in 
fewing is a pointed a daye for to Choues a Commety for to 
Steat a pleac for to fet [a] meting hones in and other 
nafefary ocations if the Tovven aprove of it." The town 
met on the 23d of February, 1691-92, and voted "to 
Choves a Commety on the ' 8th ' of march next insuing to 
fiend out a fit pleac to fett a meting hous." March 8th, 
" the town chose several men to measure from end to end 
and from side to side of our town to find out the centre ; 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 125 

and if that is not the most fit place to set a meeting-house 
in, then the committee that we choose are to consider of' 
another place or places which they shall think most fit, and 
so make their report of what they shall do herein to the 
town of Boxford : and the names of the men chosen for 
the service above-said are Lt. John Gould, Lt. Thomas 
Baker, Sergeant John Hovey, Henry Wilkins,* Ensign 
John Perley, Lt. Thomas Perley, Quartermaster Moses 
Tyler, Samuel Symonds, sen., Robert Ames, sen., John 
Peabody, sen., and Zaccheus Curtis. This Committee are 
to meet on the first Tuesday of June next ensuing to do 
this service above mentioned." This committee met on 
the appointed day, and attended to their duty. The follow- 
ing is their report : " The Committee appointed by the 
town to find out a place to set the meeting house in met 
on the 7th of June, 1692, according to the town's order; 
and they have measured the town from end to end and 
from side to side : and from the fartherest houses by 
Will's Hill to George Bixby's field is seven miles ; and 
from the farthermost corner of our land near Merrimac 
River to George Bixby's field is eight miles ; and from the 
eight-mile tree to George's field is two miles and a quarter ; 
and from Rowley line to the above-said field is about two 
miles and a half the nearest way, as some think." 

For two years the subject appears to be dropped, as we 
find no record relating to it until the 24th of April, 1694, 
when the town voted that "they would build a meeting- 
house in convenient time thirty-four feet square and eigh- 
teen feet stud between joints ; also to build and finish the 
meeting-house within the space of two years after the date 
hereof." On the 22d of the following January, it was voted 
to set the meeting-house "between William Peabody's 
house and George Bixby's house, as they can agree with 

* The preceding members of this committee belonged to Topsfield ; the 
following, to Boxford. 



126 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the owners of the land." Joseph Andrews and several 
others dissented from the rest of the town about the place, 
and nothing was further done at that meeting. A week 
from that day the inhabitants met again, and chose Thomas 
Andrews, Ensign John Perley, John Peabody, Quarter- 
master Tyler, and Thomas Hazen, to be a committee to 
" carry on the work of building the meeting-house in the 
town of Boxford according to their best discretion, improv- 
ing men in our own town if they may be obtained reason- 
ably ; also to agree with the owner of the land where the 
meeting-house shall stand." 

The Topsfield people, recognizing the intentions of the 
Boxford brethren, and seeing that they were in danger of 
losing their support, 1694-95, March 5, gave liberty to have 
more seats made in the church for the further accommoda- 
tion of their " neighbors of Boxford." It was also voted 
that when the Boxford people removed they might sell 
their pews to any one that contributed to the support of 
the ministry, or to the town for what they paid for them. 

June 18, 1697, it was voted " to carry the timber of the 
meeting-house to the north side of the plain near to 
John Buzwell's pasture, and there to frame it by the thorn 
bushes, where the paths meet that come from William 
Foster's and Abraham Redington's dwelling-houses." At 
this meeting they chose a new committee, consisting of 
Thomas Perley, Samuel Symonds, and John Peabody, to 
agree with workmen, or a workman, to build and finish it, 
as cheap as possible, within one year and eight months 
after the date of the meeting, if it could be clone. The 
proposed size of the building was also altered to thirty-four 
feet long, and about thirty feet in breadth. This was prob- 
ably the size it was erected. The roof was elevated from 
the four sides of the building to a peak in the centre, 
which was surmounted by a turret. This turret stood till 
May, 1732, when the building was in such a bad condition 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 127 

that the rain and snow beat in around it ; and they took it 
down, and closed the aperture. 

At a town-meeting held Jan. 3, 1698-99, the town chose 
a new committee to carry on the work of building the 
meeting-house, consisting of John Perley, Thomas An- 
drews, Thomas Hazen, Daniel Wood, and Joseph Hale. It 
was also voted that every man in the town should have 
liberty to do as much work in building and finishing the 
meeting-house, as will come to his share, excepting the 
money part, the committee to set the price of each one's 
labor. The fee of the committee was three shillings a 
day from the 1st of March to the 1st of November, and 
half a crown a day during the rest of the year. John Per- 
ley, being a carpenter, and as we find his name on most of 
the committees, was probably the master workman. 

At the above town-meeting, it was voted to have the 
meeting-house ready to be raised by the 10th of the follow- 
ing June, and to be finished by the 1st of January, 1700, or 
sooner if it could be conveniently done. Feb. 3 (1698-99), 
a new committee was chosen to finish the house, and " to 
make a gallery in it, and a pulpit as good as Topsfield's, 
and make seats both for the lower room and galleries suffi- 
cient for the whole house." This committee was Joseph 
Andrews, Joseph Bixby, Daniel Wood, John Eames, and 
Zaccheus Curtis. The committee at first agreed with the 
carpenters to build the pews, and set them as they were 
in the meeting-house in Andover; but Oct. 4, 1700, the 
inhabitants met in the new meeting-house, and chose John 
Perley and Samuel Symonds, with the carpenters, a com- 
mittee to set the pews as they thought would be most to 
the town's advantage. The expense of building the meet- 
ing-house was to be paid at three payments, — the first, 
May 20, 1699; second, "next cresmus ; " third, when the 
work was all done. 

Then a season of eight months passes, and the building 



128 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

was not begun, nor even its site decided upon. About 
eight years had elapsed since the first step was taken in 
the matter. On the 18th of September, 1699, with a 
view of finally fixing upon a proper site, the town chose 
a disinterested committee, consisting of the following dis- 
tinguished men from the neighboring towns : Ensign Nehe- 
miah Jewett, Capt. William Raymont, Dr. Philemon Dean, 
Deacon Nathaniel Knowlton, and Sergeant Ephraim Ste- 
vens. By the choosing of this committee it is inferred 
that the disputation of a proper site was the reason the 
meeting-house had not been erected. The committee met 
on the 3d and 4th of the following month, and selected " a 
small hill in the land of Abraham and Thomas Redington, 
where a stump stands with stones laid upon it upon the 
northerly side of the thorn bushes, and meeting of two 
ways."* Said Redingtons, the owners of the land, as 
soon as the decision was made, presented to the town, 
gratuitously, in a deed dated 23 Oct., 1699, the "small 
hill" decided upon. Where this hill is situated has been 
very clearly enunciated to have been the northern corner 
of the cemetery situated in the East Parish village, near 
the present church. 

The meeting house was now commenced, and the work 
carried through with precision, without any interference 
whatever. Within the next twelve months it was entirely 
finished; and on the 9th of January, 1701, the committee 
presented it to the town. This must have been an ex- 
hilarating season; they had looked forward to this time for 

* The bounds of this piece of land are thus defined : " First bound is a 
tree, which is Ensign Dorman's corner bound, and so northerly fifteen rods 
to a small white-oak, marked ; from thence easterly ten rods to a great rock 
with stones laid upon it ; and from thence southerly thirteen rods and a half 
to a red-oak tree, marked ; and from thence eight rods westerly to the first 
bound. And this land lieth adjoining the twelve-rod-broad road which run- 
neth from the thorn bushes to the other road which lieth from Andover to 
Topsfield." 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 129 

many years, when their hopes would be realized. But, to 
sum it all up, we cannot think they had much to be proud 
of, as the building was not built in the best and most dur- 
able manner possible. We find it leaked very soon after 
its completion, and only about thirty years later it was 
found to be in such a poor condition that it could not be 
repaired. 



CHAPTER VI. 

1 700-1730. 

Rev. Thomas Symmes. — Church organized. — Roads laid 
out. — Stock of Ammunition. — Slackness of the Consta- 
bles IN GATHERING RATES. — INDIAN DEEDS. — EDUCATION. — 

Peabody's Mills. — Early Pauperism. — Rev. Mr. Symmes' 
Pastorate and Dismission. — Rev. John Rogers settled. 

— Dr. David Wood. — Dr. John Andrews. — The Times. — 
Batchelder's Saw-Mill. — Howe's Saw and Grist Mills. 

— Andrews' Mills. — Indian War of 1722-25. — Repairing 
Roads. — The Boom Petition. — Various Minor Kinds of 
Business carried on. — Cemeteries. — Negroes. — " Mother 
Dowen." 

EV. WILLIAM SYMMES was ordained a min- 
ister in England, in 1588. His son, Zachariah 
- Symmes, was for more than forty years the 
ic^j^ki^z minister of Charlestown, Mass. Zachariah had a 
son of the same name, who was settled over the church 
in Bradford, Mass. He had a son Thomas, who was born in 
Bradford, Feb. 1, 1678, and entered Harvard College at 
the age of sixteen, in 1694, from which he graduated with 
honor in 1698. 

Fourth of October, 1700, it was voted by the town "to 
send Ensien John pearly and Clark Simons to inviet m r 
Simes [Rev. Zachariah Symmes of Bradford] m r persons 
m Capen m r barnit : to come to our towen and to afoerd 
us thair halp in keeping a day of prayer to seek the Lord 
for his biasing in our colling of a minnister to dispenc the 
word of god amongst us in Boxford." Jan. 9, 1 700-0 r, it 




HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 131 

was voted "to give an Envitation to m r Thomas Simes to 
bee our minister if it pleas god to inclien him to take vp 
with our invitation and what wee can give : also the Towne 
have Choes Corperal daniel wood and Corperal Thomas 
pearly to goe to Cambridg and Carey the Towns Vot and 
declaer it to m r Simes and bring the Town his answer 
whether hee will Exsept of it or not or other wies." Why 
Mr. Symmes was at Cambridge so late, we do not know. 
He had completed his collegiate course in 1698, and he 
might have been studying theology there with some divine. 
The call was accepted ; and on Sunday, April 27, of that 
year, he preached his first sermon here. This was proba- 
bly the first service ever held in Boxford. Mr. Symmes, 
in speaking of his ministry, often affirmed that he began 
too early, being at this time only twenty-three years of age. 
At a meeting held April 4, 1701, the town voted to give 
him sixty pounds in money, yearly, for his salary; also, to 
build him a house forty-eight by twenty feet, and two 
stories in height, and a back room of sixteen or eighteen 
feet square ; also, to finish the house by the next October, 
come twelvemonth, and as much sooner as possible; also, 
to find him thirty-five cords of wood yearly ; also, to pro- 
cure him ten acres of land, as convenient as they could, 
not far from the meeting-house, which house and land they 
agreed to give to him and his heirs forever, if he would ac- 
cept of their invitation to settle with them in the ministry. 
Immediately on his accepting their invitation the town set 
themselves to work on the promised dwelling-house for 
their pastor, which was completed much more readily than 
the meeting-house, it being finished and taken possession 
of by Mr. Symmes, July 22, 1702. It is supposed to have 
stood in the cemetery, near the present First Church, on a 
knoll, the site now being occupied by the monuments of 
Messrs. Sayward and Dorman. No one living knows any 
thing about the house, only that there was an old cellar 



132 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

there, and that it was undoubtedly the site of the parson- 
age ; the town records prove that it was situated near by. 
It has probably been razed to the ground more than a cen- 
tury. Benjamin Rogers, son of Rev. John Rogers, probably 
occupied and owned it last It was no doubt a very sub- 
stantial dwelling, and perhaps looked upon as a fine resi- 
dence, as it cost quite a large sum of money. The ten 
acres of land were also obtained, and conveyed to Mr. 
Symmes. Instead of the thirty-five cords of wood which 
the town was to find him yearly, after the first year they 
paid him eight pounds in money in addition to his regular 
salary. 

Until Sept. 25, 1702, the Boxford people continued to 
belong to the Topsfield church. On this day the church 
convened " to consider the application of sundry persons 
belonging to Boxford, who had asked their dismissal from 
that church, preparatory to being organized into a church 
in their own town." Upon this application, the church 
voted to dismiss the Boxford people when they shall have 
paid up all arrears. The result was that on the 4th of 
the following month the following members were dismissed, 
viz. : John Peabody, John Perley, Thomas Hazen, Josiah 
Hale, Jonathan Bixby, Thomas Redington, Abraham 
Redington, John Stiles, Samuel Foster, Daniel Wood, and 
Luke Hovey. A short time after, Samuel Symonds, Zac- 
cheus Curtis, Ephraim Curtis, and Joseph Peabody, jun., 
asked for dismission, but were refused, " by reason of the 
difference between the two towns as touching their limits." 
The first two obtained their dismission in 1709, but the 
others were probably not dismissed. 

Rev. Mr. Symmes was ordained Dec. 30, 1702, at which 
time the church consisted only of those men who were 
dismissed from the church in Topsfield, Sept. 25, 1702. 
No record has been found descriptive of his ordination. 
After the church had been organized, and the pastor settled 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 133 

over it, Jan. 17, 1703, Mary Watson, Mary B , Sarah 

Wood, widow Peabody, Elizabeth Stillman, Mary Hale, 
Deliverance Stiles, widow Bixby, Sarah, wife of Jonathan, 
Bixby, and Elizabeth Buswell, were added to it on dismis- 
sion from the Topsfield church; also, Feb. 21, 1703, Jos- 
eph Bixby, Jonathan Foster, Timothy Foster, Thomas Per- 
ley, jun., Samuel Symonds, jun., John Symonds, Thomas 
Perley's wife, Jonathan Foster's wife, Timothy Foster's 
wife, Samuel Symonds' wife, and Goodwife Chub; and 
also, on the 25th of the following April, twelve more, viz. : 
Joseph Peabody, Jacob Perley, Timothy Dorman, John 
Buswell, David Wood, Lyclia, wife of Jacob, Perley, Tim- 
othy Dorman's wife, David Wood's wife, Abigail Bixby, 
Hannah Kimball, and Ebenezer Stiles. By this time the 
church must have contained nearly fifty, members. No 
more large additions were made, the increase being in 
more regular order. 

While Mr. Symmes is quietly pursuing his ministerial 
relations we will return to 1696-97, March 2, when the 
town laid out a new road " from the training-place to the 
north-west end of the town, beginning at the training-field, 
and so along the path by Abraham Redington's field to 
the widow Stiles' new field, and so along the path to Cold- 
Water-Meadow Swamp, and so over the swamp, and along 
the path to Samuel Pickard's new field now in possession 
of Jonathan and William Foster, from the east end of that 
field to the east end of Meadow-pine Swamp, and from 
thence on a north-west course on the south side of a great 
valley and swamp straight to Andover road to Ipswich, not 
very far from John Tyler's field, and so along Andover 
road to the corner of Sergeant Chadwick's field, and from 
thence to young Moses Tyler's barn, and so along the path 
to Nathaniel Peabody's house, and so into a way the pro- 
prietors of Mr. Nelson's great farm have laid out for their 
necessary use." About three years later, —July 17, 1700, 



134 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

— it was agreed by the selectmen, "that the highway shall 
continue as it is used for that end, from the road by Wil- 
liam Foster's field along to Rowley bounds near to a hill 
called Tobacco-pipe Hill." This above-said road is that 
which now leads from the residence of Mr. Humphrey Per- 
ley to Rowley line. On the same day a highway was laid 
out " from Francis Elliot's house to the mill-path as it is 
now improved, and as the trees are marked, and so on to 
Crooked-Pond Brook, and so on as the trees are marked 
to the edge of the long plain, from thence straight over said 
plain to the Fishing Brook, a little above the pout-hole, and 
so on to the road coming out of the field by Timothy Dor- 
man's barn, — said road to lie one part upon said Dorman's 
land, and part on Corporal Joseph Peabody's land, — and so 
on to the meeting-house." On the 9th of the following 
September another highway was laid out "from the meet- 
ing-house, as straight as the ground will most conveniently 
allow of, to the upper end of the meadow that lieth a little 
ways below the widow Peabody's new mill, and so over the 
brook to the bounds of the land between the widow Pea- 
body's land and Joseph Hale's land, and so along upon 
their bounds to Andover highway, part upon the widow 
Peabody's land and part upon Joseph Hale's land." This 
last highway is the Chapman road that is now obsolete. 

In 1696, Aug. 14. the town's stock of ammunition was 
delivered into the hands of Quartermaster Tyler to remain 
in his possession till it was ordered otherwise. The stock 
consisted of ten pounds of powder, thirty pounds of bullets, 
and fifty flints. 

Most of the early constables were slack in collecting 
the rates ; some of them having collected not more than 
a half of any list which had been committed to their care. 
In 1697 a general reckoning took place between them and 
the town, to learn their financial condition. This showed 
sad neglect on the part of some of the constables. In 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 135 

1699 a rate of ^14 iSs. 10 d. was given to William Watson 
to gather ; but he, " pleading much infirmity," had neg- 
lected it " so that the whole rate was in danger of being 
lost ; " and the selectmen placed it in the hands of Samuel 
Symonds to gather. In December, 1699, the constables 
were again called to an account. 

Although John Winthrop had procured a deed, of the old 
sagamore Masconnomet, of the whole tract of land then 
included in the town of Ipswich (1638 — then including 
the town of Boxford), his three grandsons Samuel and 
Joseph English, and John Umpee, in 1700, laid claim to 
the territory of Boxford. A town-meeting was held Jan. 
15, 1700-01, at which their claim was not refuted, but a 
committee — John Perley, Thomas Perley, John Peabody, 
Thomas Hazen, and Josiah Bridges — was chosen to treat 
with the Indians about their demand. The committee and 
the Indians met at the house of Lieut. Thomas Perley — 
who furnished them with " vittels and drink " — and agreed, 
that, for eight pounds in money paid to Samuel English, 
and " two shillings and sixpenc in Silver and Rum and 
vittels enouf" to the other two, the Indians would give 
them a deed of the property. Jan. 16, Samuel English 
gave the town a quitclaim deed of the township. This 
deed is recorded on our town-records ; but as it is similar 
in form, and of the same tenure as the deed which the 
other two Indians signed shortly afterward, we do not 
give it here. Samuel English signed the first deed with 
his mark : CO ; it was witnessed by Thomas Baker, Jos- 
eph Foster, and Moses Parker, and acknowledged before 
Dudley Bradstreet, Esq., of Topsfield, on the same day. 
The deed is here given that the other Indians signed. 
The heading shows that the deed was first written to re- 
ceive the signatures of the Indian trio. This last deed is 
found recorded on the records of Topsfield ; though why 
recorded there, and not on our own town-records, is a mys- 
tery. The deed is as follows : — 



136 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

"Sam'-l English, Jos. English, John Vmpee, Indians, to y e 
Town of Boxford. 

" Rcc' 1 on record, Feb r 24: 170K. 

" 2Eo all People unto whom these Presents shall come, Samuel 
English, Joseph English, & John Vmpee, Indians, Grand Children & 
the next true, rightfull, and Lawfull heirs of Musquonomet, alias 
Muschonomet, Indian Chief, Sagamore, and native Proprietor of that 
whole Tract of Land Extending from the Southerly Side of the River 
Merrimack unto Naumkeeg, otherwise called Bass river, lying in the 
County of Essex, within his Maj tie Province of the Massachusetts 
Bay, in New England, Send Greeting: Whereas, Divers Englishmen, 
many years since, in the Lifetime of the Said Musqunomet, al s Mus- 
chonomet, with his Knowledge, Lycence, and good Liking, did Enter 
into, Subdue, Improve, Build, and Settle an English Plantation, Con- 
taining about Twelve Thousand acres of Land, more or less, now 
Called and Known by the Name of the Town of Boxford, within the 
afores d Tract of Land, in the said County of Essex, which said Plan- 
tation or Township, and the Lands thereto Belonging are Butted and 
Bounded, Northerly by a marked Pine Tree on the Southerly Side of 
Merrimack River afores d , which is the Corner Bounds, and then the 
Line Runs by Marked Trees that are between Andover and Boxford, 
and Southerly according as the Trees are marked betwixt said Ando- 
ver and Boxford, as it hath been perambulated, till it Come to the 
Eight Mile Tree, so called, which is a Bound mark betwixt said 
Andover and Boxford, and Southerly to a White oak, which is the 
Bounds betwixt Wills Hill men and said Boxford, and then Southerly 
to a Wild Pear Tree, or Box Tree, standing by Ipswich River side, 
and then Easterly as the River Runs, till it meet with Ipswich Line, 
which said Line doth extend Six miles from said Ipswich meeting 
house, and then upon a Straight Line till it Come to an apple tree that 
is in Lieu' Pearly's field, marked, and then it runs with Ipswich Line, 
until it meets with Rowley Line near Caleb Jackson's, and so till it 
come to a white oak in Bradford Line, as it is setled betwixt Boxford 
and Rowley, and then westerly till it meet with the Pine Tree first 
mentioned, parting Betwixt Boxford and Andover. Now, Know yee, 
that we, the said Samuel English, Joseph English, and John Vmpee, 
the true, Rightfull, and Lawfull heirs of the said Musquonomonet, 
al s Muschonnomet, as aforesd, as well upon the consideracon afore d , 
as for divers other good Causes and Consideracons us thereunto 
moving, more especially for, and in Consideracon of the sum of nine 
pounds, Current Silver money of New England, to us in hand, at and 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 137 

before the Ensealing and delivery of these presents, well and truly 
paid by John Pearly, Thomas Pearly, Thomas Hazen, John Peabody, 
and Josiah Bridges, all of Boxford, afores d , Yeomen, a Committee 
and agents for the said Town of Boxford, The Receipt whereof we do 
hereby acknowledge, and ourselves to be therewith well Satisfied, 
Contented, and fully paid, Have Granted, aliened, Enfeoffed, Released, 
Ratifyed, Confirmed, and forever Quit Claimed, and, by these pres- 
ents, for our selves and our heirs, Do fully, freely, clearly, and abso- 
lutely grant, aliene, Enfeoffe, Release, Ratify, Confirm, and Quit 
Claim, unto the said John Pearly, Thomas Pearly, Thomas Hazen, 
John Peabody, and Josiah Bridges, and the Rest of the Freeholders 
and Proprietors of the said Plantation or Township of Boxford in 
their actuall possession, being all the afores d quantity and Tract of 
Twelve Thousand acres of Land, more or less, Scituate, Lying and 
being in the s d County of Essex, and butted, bounded, and described 
as afores d , or howsoever otherwise the same is bounded, or Reputed 
to be Bounded ; Together with all and singular the Trees, Timber, 
Woods, Underwoods, Rivers, Brooks, Ponds, Streams, Waters, 
Water Courses, Marshes, Meadows, Fields, Fishing, Fowling, Hunt- 
ing, Edifices, Buildings, Rights, Members, Profits, Privileges, Com- 
modities, Advantages, Hereditaments, Emoluments, and appurces ? 
whatsoever upon or Belonging to the said Tract of Land, Plantation, 
or Township of Boxford afores d , or to any part or parcell thereof, and 
all the Estate, Right, Title, Interest, Inheritence, use, property, 
Claime, and demand whatsoever, of us, the said Sam 11 English, Jos- 
eph English, and John Vmpee, and each of us, our and each of our 
heirs, of, in, or to the same, and the Reversion and Reversions, 
Remainder and Remainders thereof. 2To f^afae ant) 10 ^oltl all the 
said herein before granted, Released, and Confirmed premises, unto 
the said John Pearly, Thomas Pearly, Thomas Hazen, John Peabody, 
and Josiah Bridges, and the Rest of the Freeholders and Proprietors 
of the Town of Boxford afores d , their heirs and assignes, to their 
only proper use, Benefit, and behoofe, for Ever. And we, the said 
Samuel English, Joseph English, and John Vmpee, for ourselves and 
our heirs, do hereby Covenant, grant, and agree, to and with the said 
John Pearly, Thomas Pearly, Thomas Hazen, John Peabody, and 
Josiah Bridges, and their heirs and assignes, on behalfe of themselves 
and other the freeholders and Proprietors of said Town of Boxford, 
their heirs and assignes, for ever, that we, the said Samuel English, 
Joseph English, and John Vmpee, are the true, Rightfull, and Lawfull 
heirs of the before named Musquonomonet, alias Muschonomet, and 



138 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

that we shall and will warrant and defend all and singular the Lands 
and premises by us herein before granted, Released, and quit claimed, 
unto ye sd John Pearly, Thomas Pearly, Thomas Hazen, John Pea- 
body, Josiah Bridges, and other the Freeholders and proprietors of 
the Town of Boxford afores d , their heirs and assignes for Ever, 
against ourselves and our heirs, and all and Every other person or 
persons Claiming any Right, title, or Interest therein from, by, or 
under our said Grandfather Musquonomonit, alias Muschonnomet. 
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seales, the 

— day of anno Dom : 1701 annoq; RR S Gulielmi Tertii Anglia?, 

&c, Decimo tertio. 

1 h fl 5~^t 

"Signed, Sealed, Joseph -+U English, j SEAL £ 



and DO 

by Joseph Foster, 
John Boynton. 



mark, 
hi: 



John ,—n Vmpee, -jseal^ 

J mark. >—v--' 



"Joseph English and John Vmpee appeared before me, the subscriber, one of his 
Maj tif,s Justices of y e Peace for the County of Essex, and acknowledged this Instru- 
ment to be their act and deed, this 22 a of Octob r , 1701. 

"Dudley Bradstreet, J. Peace. 

"Exam 1 ! p. Steph. Sewall, Reco dr ." 

The first step toward the propagation of education in 
Boxford was taken by the town, Nov. 24, 1701, when they 
chose John Peabody to be their " scowel master." We 
do not find that a schoolmaster had taught here before 
this time ; and perhaps they might not have hired one so 
early, had they not been reminded of their duty by an order 
from the General Court. Mr. Peabody taught the chil- 
dren here for several years. In 171 2 Thomas Perley, jun., 
was chosen schoolmaster. Aug. 25, 171 3, the town agreed 
with Nathaniel Peabody to teach. Sept. 12, 1716, the town 
agreed with Thomas Jewett " to teach Seoul for writing 
reading & Arethemitick ... to the 6 parts of y e Town 
y e Town is for give him forty shillings pur month for y e 
six months & convenent diat & lodging." Covey Morgan 
taught in 1719; Ephraim Dorman, 1720. September, 1722, 
Thomas Redington was chosen " to learn persons to read, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. ' 1 39 

write, and cypher." Dec. 21, 1725, it was voted "to give 
Mr. John Rogers ^25 to keep school the year ensuing, 
provided he may be approbated as the law directs." He 
accordingly entered upon his duties, and thus began the 
first real advance in the cause of education in Boxford. 
David Foster was chosen to this office in 1728. The 
school was held for many years in private houses in differ- 
ent sections of the town, its sessions being held for a while 
in each place alternately. These sessions were about a 
month in length ; and, considering that this was all the 
schooling which the children would receive during the 
year, unless they attended the school of an adjoining 
district, it is not surprising that education was so little 
developed among the common people. The schoolmaster 
of a century and a half ago rises before our view : browned 
by the sun and heat while cultivating his arable acres ; his 
hands like those of the sturdy yeoman, rather than a 
schoolmaster's ; his gestures and walk betokening the com- 
manding position which he holds, — are all brought to our 
eyes while we hear him affirm that " g-e-s " spells " guess." 
Down his back the long cue of those clays dangles as he 
steps among the scholars, who, tf any one dared do it, 
would pull it " just for fun." 

Shortly before his death (1700) William Peabody erected 
the first saw and grist mill that ever existed in the town. 
The grist-mill was situated on the stream that flows back 
of the old Spiller house in the East Parish, where the 
ruins are still visible ; the saw-mill was situated farther 
down the stream. The original building of the grist-mill 
stood until Sept. 23, 18 15, when the terrific gale, which 
our older inhabitants remember so well, blew it from its 
foundation into the pond at its side. Richard Peabody 
(grandson of the original proprietor), the owner at the time 
of its fall, immediately re-erected it — the timber-trees with 
which it was done having been blown down by the gale. 



140 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

After Mr. Peabody's death in 1820, the place was sold to 
Mr. Nathaniel G. Spiller, who still resides in the town. 
About 1845 Mr. Spiller sold the mill to Messrs. William A. 
Gurley and Joseph Farley, who demolished it to give place 
to a saw-mill which they proposed to erect. Much of the 
lumber with which to do this was hauled there, and a 
massive stone wall built for the foundation of one side 
of their mill. But this was as far as they ever got. The 
wall — the cost of which ruined the company, it is said — 
still stands unchanged ; and, as a whole, the view of it 
is most picturesque. A visit to this romantic spot would 
well repay the trouble, especially to an artist. The place 
is now occupied during the summer by William A. Her- 
rick, Esq., a prominent lawyer of Boston. 

Every town that provides for its poor, and looks after 
them carefully, should contain in its History the history 
of pauperism as seen and provided for by them ; for this 
is a notable feature, and shows plainly the character and 
humaneness of its inhabitants in providing for the poor a 
home, and for the aged an asylum of rest. Boxford shows 
this feature as early as 1706, by voting to build a house for 
the poor, where they coulfl be taken care of, and provided 
in a proper manner with food and raiment, and, what they 
would be sure of, a home. The voting part of the popu- 
lation held a meeting on the 5th of January in the above- 
named year, and voted to build a house for this purpose 
upon that " parcel of land devoted to the use of the town, 
where the meeting-house doth stand." The dimensions 
of this edifice were to be as follows : length, thirty-four 
feet ; width, fourteen feet ; and six feet to the eaves, 
with "a convenient cellar" under one end of it. It was 
voted to be finished by the last of the following June ; but 
we do not think it, or any thing of the kind, was built, 
or purchased already-made, until the present town farm 
was bought, for two very conclusive reasons : viz., First, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 141 

because we cannot find any record whatever that speaks 
of any building being built or bought for that purpose. 
Second, we find that the paupers were "boarded out" in 
different families in the town for years afterwards. Proba- 
bly they came to the conclusion, that, as there were but 
very few paupers, it would be much cheaper to board them 
out. 

A curious incident in connection with this subject oc- 
curred a few years previous to the time of which we have 
just been speaking. A family named Cary had lived here 
a number of years, and at last they became so poor that 
the wife asked for alms from the selectmen. She belonged 
in Ipswich, where she had been an inhabitant, and proba- 
bly had not gained a residence here. In reply to her peti- 
tion for help, she was warned out of town to Ipswich, to be 
provided for there. At this time she had a child only a 
little more than a month old. It seems, however, she did 
not go, as she had another child born to her here after- 
wards. This is the first and only instance of the kind we 
ever heard of. A very poor person ("poor body," as the 
warrants call her), having come from another town, and 
taken up her residence here, asks for help in her time of 
need ; and, instead of giving her the needed assistance, and 
collecting the same of the town where she did belong, as 
is the custom at present, the selectmen warn her to depart. 
This seems a cruel as well as curious practice to follow, 
though perhaps no more so than many of the by-laws 
which our ancestors made from time to time. In connec- 
tion with the above affair the husband is not mentioned, 
though he must have lived here at the same time. In 
1725, when she was a widow, she was assisted by the 
town. We do not insert this as saying any thing against 
the character of the selectmen, who were all worthy and 
distinguished (in their own town) men, but to bring before 
our readers what curious acts our ancestors were capable 
of doing. 



142 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Rev. Mr. Symmes, in his pastorate here, met with un- 
common difficulties ; but the nature and reason of them 
are unknown. It appears, however, that they were such 
as he was unable to encounter; and, there being no reason- 
able prospect that they would cease during his continu- 
ance here, he was, in 1706, "thoughtful of removing from 
Boxford." He was not hasty in forming a decision, but 
was willing to wait the intimations of God's providence, to 
be directed by him, and principally to advance his glory. 
In his diary is found the following memorandum : " jfau. 
29, 1707. — This day I had sweet communion with God, 
in secret prayer. The Lord helped me wonderfully to 
plead with his Majesty, for assurance, for a soft heart, and 
for his Holy Spirit to sanctify me, comfort me, guide and 
assist me ; and for his presence to be with me, whether 
I remove from Boxford or not. I pleaded : Lord, if thy 
presence go not with me, carry me not hence. Lord, I 
cannot go, unless thou go with me. Lord, if thou wilt 
not go with me, stop me, disappoint me, hedge up my way 
with thorns ; yea, let me die, rather than go one step with- 
out thee. Lord, if it be not for thy glory, and the good 
of souls, let me be here continued. I know that thou art 
all-sufficient, and canst provide for me here, and deliver 
me from my temptations here ; and therefore I will wait 
upon thee, in the use of lawful means, to know what thy 
will is. Lord, help me so to do." In the following spring 
he sent in his resignation ; and a town-meeting was held 
May 21, 1708, to consider of the same. They consented 
to Mr. Symmes' wish. The church met the same day, 
and, after " considerable agitation," concurred with the 
town. The elders of the neighboring churches, who met 
at Newbury on the 9th of the following month, advised 
the conclusion to which the town and church had arrived. 
The following is an extract from the town records : — 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 143 

"21 May 1 70S. the Towen voted that this following information or 
declaration shoueld bee Recordad that so thaier may not bee anney 
mis vndrstanding of our Resons why our minister and wee doe peart 
on from the other if it should bee so. 

"Thes may sertify whome it may Consearn that whear as our 
Reverand pastor m' Thomas Sims after a very Consedarabel tiem of 
trial and wee Conclued much Consedaration and advice doues as wee 
vnderstand yet Remaien vnder vncomfortabel surcomstances and vn- 
easy in his Contenewanc hear on that account Being apprehancive 
that hee might bee moer Comfortabel and searvesabel in sum other 
place then with vs and wee being sensabel after all that wee Can at 
Presant doe for him to a comedeat him : that wee Cannot doe what 
hee needes as sume other Places may doe : not that wee have anney 
dislick of his Person menistry or Conversation but should bee 
hartewly glad if wee might still in Joye his labores but unwilling to 
keep him allwaies in trubbel and uncomfortabel : wee have the moest 
of vs in Real love and good will towardes him : lovingly a greead that 
wee will no longer appoes his Removel but give way to it and sav the 
will of the Lord bee dun in ceas the Revarant Ealdears met togather 
att newbery sum tiem in the begening of Juen next 1708: or the 
major Peart of them doe advies us to dismis him from his pastoreal 
obligation to vs and in Ceas our Revarand paster m r Thomas Simes 
will Reles to the Towen of Boxford all that thay have dun for him 
by waye of setalment and also what hee hath layed out in finnishing of 
his houes and give what Instrewment they shall think proper to se- 
cuer it to them from him or anney others from by or vnder him laying 
Claiem theair to and if it bee so wee hartely wish him weeall and 
thank him for his labors amongest vs and pray god to bles him and 
his and mack them blassinges and doe hear by Recommend him to 
the Cristian felowship and Communion of what Ever Church and 
People hee may seatteal with." 

The difficulties which Mr. Symmes met with here must 
have been exceedingly great ; for in resigning his position 
he forfeited all right and title in the house and land, 
which, if he continued here in the ministry, would fall after 
his decease to his heirs. After he left Boxford, he soon 
received a call to settle in the ministry at Bradford, his 
father having died. He accepted the invitation, and was 
installed as pastor of the Bradford church in the same year 
of his departure from Boxford. 



144 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Rev. Mr. Symmes married first, Elizabeth Blowers (sister 
of Rev. Thomas, of Beverly) of Cambridge, by whom he 
had seven "very hopefull and desirable" children, six of 
whom — four sons and two daughters — lived to maturity. 
Four of them were born in Boxford, viz. : Thomas, b. Jan. 
ii, 1703; Andrew, b. May 20, 1704; John, b. Feb. 14, 
1706; and William, b. Oct. 23, 1707. After her father's 
death the eldest daughter was received into the family of 
Rev. Benjamin Wadsworth, president of Harvard College. 
Mr. Symmes' wife dying April 6, 17 14, he married, sec- 
ondly, Hannah, daughter of Rev. John Pike of Dover, 
March 28, 171 5. During his connection with her, they 
had two "very desirable" daughters, both of whom sur- 
vived their father. On Feb. 1, 17 19, he was again called 
to mourn the loss of his wife. He was again married to 
Mrs. Eleanor, relict of Mr. Eleazer Moody of Dedham, and 
daughter of the well-known poet, Mr. Benjamin Thompson 
of Braintree, who survived him. 

Although Mr. Symmes usually appeared to be in good 
health, yet for a number of years previous to his death, he 
was troubled with a poor appetite, indigestion, and pain in 
his head and breast. The first violent symptom of his dis- 
ease was on the sabbath but one before his death, — bleeding 
considerably from the nose. This flow of blood increased 
until it destroyed his life on the morning of Oct. 6, 1725. 
He had appointed a fast, to be kept on his account, on 
Tuesday the 5th, in the afternoon of which day the assem- 
bly were interrupted by news of the apprehensions of his 
dissolution. A minister went to the house to pray with 
him, before he expired ; and upon asking him if he was 
" freely willing to resign his soul to his Saviour," he 
lifted up his hand, and said, "Yes." He remained unable 
to express his feelings till the following morning, when he 
entered into the joy of his Lord, at the age of forty-seven 
years. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 145 

Mr. Symmes was a man of much learning, and very- 
active with his pen, several of whose productions, both 
scriptural and secular, were published, and are to-day occa- 
sionally met with. Those by which he was best known 
are a sermon entitled " The Brave Lovewell Lamented," 
and "A Joco-Serious Dialogue Concerning Regular Sing- 
ing." Prefixed to the first is an account of " The Fight at 
Pigwacket," which is the most authentic account of that 
sanguinary affair. Judging from the "Joco-Serious Dia- 
logue," it is evident that wit and sarcasm were no strangers 
to its author. 

Increase Mather, then in the sixty-second year of his 
ministry, says of Mr. Symmes : " I have known him- from 
his youth. When he resided at the college where he was 
graduated by me, then presiding over that society, I ob- 
served real piety in him, and was then persuaded that the 
Lord would make him a blessing;" which has been done, as 
the church records of Boxford and Bradford plainly show. 
During his short stay of six years in Boxford, seventy-two 
persons were added to the church ; and many took dismis- 
sions from other churches, and united with this. The dis- 
tinguished Rev. Mr. Colman says that Mr. Symmes " was 
out of the way of fame, or any worldly reward." His aim 
seemed to be good. It was the commendation of Heaven, 
which he esteemed and desired. To do his Master's work 
in the vineyard of the world was his highest ambition. In 
the notice of his death in The Boston Newsletter of Oct. 
9, 1725, is ingrafted this closing sentence of our sketch : 
" He was a correct and pertinent, pungent and undaunted 
preacher ; never feared the faces of men, nor shunned to 
declare the whole counsel of God." 

It seems that for two months after Mr. Symmes' dis- 
mission no meetings were held in the meeting-house. 
June 21, 1708, the town voted that Rev. John Rogers of 
Salem should preach the four successive Sundays after that 



146 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

date. His services were again secured for a quarter of a 
year, at twenty shillings per week. He probably was suc- 
cessively engaged until he was permanently settled over 
the church in the latter part of the following year. No 
records remain whereby we can tell the particulars either 
of his or Mr. Symmes' ordination. Mr. Rogers was paid 
a salary of sixty pounds, which was increased in 17 17 to 
eighty pounds. As a settlement, the house and land that 
had previously been in the possession of Mr. Symmes, and 
which he forfeited by his resignation, was conveyed to 
Mr. Rogers upon the same conditions as to Mr. Symmes. 
In this house he took up his residence on his marriage, two 
years later. 

When invited to assist in settling Rev. Mr. Rogers in 
the ministry here, the neighboring ministers refused ; and 
with much trouble the ordination exercises were carried 
out, as we see by the following letter, which explains itself. 

" The Church and Town of Boxford sendeth to the Town and Church 
of Topsfield, greeting : 

"Brethren and Neighbors, — We think it a little unchristianlike 
dealing, that there are so many scandalous reports in our neighbor 
towns, that our neighbor ministers make it a reason why they will not 
come to ordain our minister, when, if our town were indebted to you, 
and neglected or refused to pay, you might have made use of the civil 
law ; and, if our church were indebted to you, then we think they 
should have been disciplined according to the order of churches. 
Now, brethren and neighbors, since it is our duty to follow peace 
with all men, and considering the gracious promise made to peace- 
makers, we make you the following proposals : — 

"1. That, if you assert that our town is indebted to you by a rule 
of righteousness, and yet not legally to be recovered, we therefore 
proffer you to leave the matter to a committee of unbiased men, two 
of them chosen by yourselves, and two of them chosen by us, they 
choosing a fifth ; all of them not belonging to Topsfield or Boxford. 

" 2. That if you will choose a committee in your town, to join 
with a committee chosen in our town, to inform the abovesaid com- 
mittee what has passed between us and you, relating to the ministry 
of Topsfield, both before and since we were a town. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 147 

" 3. Also, said committee to be informed how Topsfield's repre- 
sentative made complaint to the General Court that our town lived at 
loose ends, and had no minister, and came to their meeting, and troubled 
them, and paid but what they pleased to pay. By that means our 
town was doomed three pounds to a single country-rate, — two pounds 
taken off Topsfield, and one pound off Andover, and laid upon our 
town. That, being doubled several times, made us pay many pounds, 
which we think, by a rule of righteousness, might be outset in this 
matter of debt which you demand ; if it appear to be a debt. 

"4. That, if our church are indebted to your church in your esteem, 
we desire that it might be left to said committee. 

" 5. That if you will bind yourselves, in a bond of fifty pounds, to 
stand by the award of said committee, chosen as above, provided they 
bring you in to our debt, that then we will bind ourselves in the like 
bond, although we fall in your debt as a town or a church. 

" Boxford, July 11, 1709. 

" We have chosen our committee, and fully impowered them to act 
in this affair ; and their names are as follows: Lieut. John Peabody, 
Lieut. Thomas Perley, Mr. Samuel Symonds, Ens. Thomas Hazen, 
and Ser. Joseph Bixby." 

Contentions between the two towns had been in exist- 
ence for more than a quarter of a century, and continued as 
long after this date. The feeling was little more than the 
result of a "family-quarrel." 

Though we cannot boast of having a physician settled 
among us at the present time, it is nevertheless true that 
we could have done so a century and a half ago. And 
down the many years almost to our present day, we had in 
our midst one of those necessary practitioners. Our first 
doctor filled the office of surgeon and dentist as well as that 
of physician ; and probably in some degree was among the 
renowned of that profession. This was Dr. David Wood, 
great-grandfather of Capt. Enoch Wood, now resident in 
our town. He was son of Daniel and Sarah Wood, and 
was born here Feb. 18, 1677. He commenced the prac- 
tice of physic at the age of thirty years, and remained the 
doctor of the town and vicinity until his death, which 



. 148 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

occurred Aug. 30, 1744. His account-books show a large 
and extensive practice, having continuous bills against the 
inhabitants of the neighboring towns. As a farmer, Dr. 
Wood was unexcelled in the extent of his operations. 
Ship-timber, which was sawed at his own saw-mill, — that 
stood in the rear of the residence of the late John O. Batch- 
elder, and of which we shall soon speak, — was a product 
of his extensive woodland. A large stock of cattle, as 
we judge from his accounts with Francis Perley the tan- 
ner, was his property. He had also a large cider-mill, in 
which he made a great quantity of cider for his own use 
and for sale, and hundreds of barrels annually for his 
neighbors. His residence was, no doubt, the house that 
previously occupied the site of the Stetson mansion, and 
which had been probably his father's before him. One 
now nearly a century old writes : " This house, by the side 
of the pond, I well remember, with its low-descending 
lean-to ; and its long ladder, reaching from the ground to 
the chimney, was ever in its place, that they might the more 
readily quench the sparks and cinders which often circled 
above the chimney-top in the cold winter evenings." Most 
of the real estate in that vicinity was in his possession ; 
and because of his wealth, and professional and social 
position, his voice was a power in the prosecution of the 
town affairs. Regarding his lamily and descendants, see 
page 71. 

A "Doctor John Andrews" appears here in 171 2, when 
he was chosen a selectman ; but we know nothing more 
about his appellation. 

The season of which we are writing was a disastrous one 
to the people of New England. The winters were very 
severe; and, the springs therefore being late, the planting 
was delayed. Many of the men were in the service of the 
colony, — the Indians having again begun their hostilities, 
— and, in consequence, the farming was in many places 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 149 

neglected, and scarce enough was raised to supply the 
family need. Provisions of all kinds were dear and scarce. 
It was voted by the town, Dec. 5, 17 10, to set Indian corn 
at half a crown, merchantable wheat at four shillings, and 
rye at three shillings, a bushel. The times, however, grew 
better; and the high prices of provisions relaxed when 
peace again settled over the colonies. 

In March, 1710, the town gave liberty to Ensign Hazen, 
Jacob Perley, and David Wood, to set up a saw-mill on 
the "parsonage-farm," where they shall see fit, and to 
have convenient yard-room, with a road to the mill, for 
thirty years, the above men paying all damage to the land 
to the town. A part of the old mill is still in existence, 
though greatly tumbled down. Its situation is on the 
stream which leads from Wood's, or Stetson's, Pond, to 
Four-Mile Pond, just below where the old Dresser road 
crosses the brook, and in the rear of the residence of the 
family of the late John Q. Batchelder. 

At a meeting of the proprietors of the common lands in 
Boxford, Sept. 18, 1710, it was voted: " whear as Richard 
Kimbol Eapharam dorman and Sammeueal fisk doe appear 
to Seat vp a Sawmill vpon the fishing broock with ouer 
Consent and incorigment wee the .... propriatoer[s] doe 
freely consent that thes thre men shall seat vp a sawmil 
vp on the foels by Josaph Bixbes houes also wee doe freely 
give them the veas of as much of our land as thay need for 
flowing and a yeard to lay thair louges and bordes and tim- 
ber vpon for the ves above s d so long as thay or thair 
heaiers or Sucksesaers shal keep vp a going mill and for 
the trew performenc of what is promised on our sied wee 
doe biend our sealves heaiers and sucksesaers to the above 
mensioned Kimbol dorman and fisck and thair lawful suck- 
sesaers that thay shal peassabelly in Joye the ves of the 
land a bove said with out anney molistation from vs or 
anney from by or vnder us." This mill was accordingly 



150 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

erected, and has continued to be a "going mill" to the 
present time. About the year 1800, or before, the busi- 
ness was carried on by Asa Foster (father of Richard K. 
Foster), who owned the mill, together with a grist-mill that 
had been previously erected. Mr. Foster died in 1831 ; 
and the heirs, in 1849, so ^ tne mills to the late Augustus 
Hayward, who purchased the grist-mill stones that had 
been taken out of the grist-mill that stood where the match- 
factory now stands, and sold to a Mr. Bailey, and carried 
to Amesbury. Mr. Hayward hauled them back again, and 
put them in his mill in place of the old stones. Mr. Hay- 
ward did a thriving business, especially in the furnishing of 
ship-timber to the vessel-builders in Essex and vicinity. 
After his death, in 1872, the mills were sold to Mr. Solo- 
mon W. Howe, who has kept them almost constantly at 
work ever since. 

Probably about the time of which we are now writing, 
the Andrews saw-mills were erected, though we have never 
arrived at any definite conclusion regarding their origin. 
Parts of the mill-buildings are very ancient, but not so 
much so as an elderly man would have them, when they 
were recently repaired. Some one remarking that the mill 

was very old, he said he once saw a deed of it dated , 

mentioning a date several years anterior to the arrival of 
the Pilgrims in New England. But, from a lack of knowl- 
edge of history, he mentioned a date which could not be 
credited ; and so his account fell into disrepute. As far 
back as any one now remembers, they were in the posses- 
sion of the Symonds family, Capt. Joseph Symonds being 
the last owner of that name. Upon his death, the late 
Dean Andrews purchased the mills, and by them sawed 
the large quantities of lumber in which he dealt. After 
his death they were owned by the late Daniel Andrews. 

After enjoying the fruits of peace for nine years, in 1722 
another Indian war broke out, though no great violence 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. I 5 I 

was done during the three years that it continued. In the 
autumn of 1724, the inhabitants of the frontier towns on 
Merrimac River seem to have been dissatisfied with the 
manner of carrying on the war with the Indians, and 
wished to adopt offensive measures. Accordingly a com- 
pany was organized at Dunstable, of which John Lovewell 
was captain, Josiah Farwell lieutenant, and Jonathan Rob- 
bins ensign. These officers offered a petition to the 
Legislature, in which they say, " that if said company may 
be allowed five shillings per day in case they kill any 
Indians, and possess their scalps, they will employ in Indian- 
hunting one whole year; and, if they do not within that 
time kill any, they are content to be allowed nothing for 
their wages, time, and trouble." * This petition was 
granted, changing the terms into a bounty of one hundred 
pounds for every scalp taken during one year. Capt. Love- 
well was a bold and adventurous officer, and, stimulated by 
this offer, he immediately led his company against the 
hostile savages. A part of his company was composed of 
Boxford men, — Phineas Foster, Jacob Ames, Jeremiah 
Perley, Jethro Ames, Jacob Perley, and perhaps others. 

In February, 1725, the last year of the war, the company, 
numbering sixty-two persons, began their march on snow- 
shoes, carrying their provisions on their backs. Toward 
Winnipiseogee Lake (N. H.) they came on the Indian trail. 
During their march they discovered a bear in his den in a 
hollow tree, which, by help of their dogs, they killed. He 
could not be got out where he went in, having become so 
fat during his winter's residence. They soon had a fire, 
and roasted, and feasted on, his flesh, — a very timely supply, 
as their provisions were nearly exhausted. Continuing 
their march, they soon came to the above-named lake, 
where they lost the trail, there being no snow on the 
ice. There appeared to follow the Indians a large flock 

* History of Dunstable, p. III. 



152 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

of ravens, lighting on and hovering over the trees on an 
island of the lake, indicating their situation, which was also 
considered ominous of the destruction of their enemies. 

The party, soon after following these ravens, found them- 
selves within hearing of the Indians, who were hunting 
beaver and other game; and, having had a "great hunt" 
that day, Capt. Lovewell thought best to halt, and wait till 
the Indians, from eating heartily at supper, should sleep 
soundly. They built no fires, and took the precaution to 
tie up the mouths of the dogs, and keep them close, so as 
to surprise the enemy at midnight. They attacked them 
in camp while asleep, about one o'clock, killing eight and 
wounding one ; another, in attempting to run away, was 
overtaken by the dogs, and despatched, so that all were 
destroyed, nine men and a boy. The boy was armed with 
a lancet on a pole, as was supposed, to drive and torment 
prisoners. It was thought these Indians were going to 
Cocheco (now Dover), to destroy the few families settled 
there. The Indians were scalped, and their bodies left as 
food for the ravens.* Lovewell and his men then marched 
to Dover, N. H., thence to Andover, Mass., where they 
were entertained at Joseph Parker's, from which place the 
men probably separated to their respective homes, without 
the loss of a single man. 

In 1733, as payment for their services, the Legislature 
granted the soldiers in this expedition wild land in Sun- 
cook, N. H., and Petersham, Mass. 

After the roads were laid out, the minds of our early 
settlers were troubled about keeping them repaired for sum- 
mer travel. This was at first accomplished by hiring men 
to do the work, paying them out of the regular town-tax ; 
but Oct. 22, 1717, the town voted to repair the highways, 
by a separate rate assessed for that purpose, to equal a 
certain sum annually ; also, the right was given to each 

* See The Book of the Indians, Book III., Chap. IX. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 153 

highway-tax-payer to work out his part of the tax if he de- 
sired to do so. The town was divided into wards ; and in 
each ward was appointed a surveyor to superintend opera- 
tions, and to collect the highway-tax. The following rates 
or prices of labor were adopted by the town two years 
later : " Those that labored from the beginning of May till 
the first of September shall have two shillings and six 
pence per day ; and from the first of September to the end 
of the year, two shillings per day ; and one shilling a day 
for a pair of oxen, and six pence a day for a tumberell or 
cart." 

In 175 1 sixteen pounds were raised to repair the high- 
ways that year ; also, " voted to allow one shilling and eight 
pence per day for such as shall work at mending roads ; and 
eight pence per day for a yoke of oxen, and four pence for 
a cart." In 1761 each one had to work out his highway- 
tax in the months of May and June. 

In 1780 ,£3,600 (which, by the depreciation of the cur- 
rency at that time, would only be, in gold or silver, £96)* 
were raised by the town to repair the highways that year. 
The following year, ,£3,000 (about ^75 in gold) were raised 
for that purpose. 

Before the year 1788 the roads were not cleared of snow 
in winter. They were left as the heavy storms of years ago 
left them, filled several feet deep with the snow, and level 
with the tops of the walls, — the snow-storms of those days 
being much worse than those of the present time. Those 

* This item shows how almost valueless was the paper currency which 
was issued by the Government at the close of the Revolution. A week's 
board then in paper money was $ 105 ; but, in silver or gold, only about $ 2 
or $2.50. People were greatly involved in debt; there was but little coin 
in circulation, and paper money and public securities had become nearly 
worthless ; and many men, by taking this emission-money in payment for 
their sales, were ruined. In 1780 one gold dollar was worth $4,000 in paper 
money. The new emission-money, which was soon after issued, was worth 
considerably more than the old. 



154 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

were the days of snow-shoes, and horseback-riding, which 
was the prevailing custom of the inhabitants of New 
England from the time, of the first settlement up to the 
period of which we are writing. But about this time 
wheel-vehicles began to be more common ; and sleighs were 
introduced, which bore off a large degree of popularity 
among the inhabitants. These improvements necessitated 
the removal of the snow from the roads so as to make 
them passable. 

In 1799 the town voted to allow a man seventy-five, a 
yoke of oxen forty, a cart twenty, and a plough forty cents 
per day, for working in repairing the highway. This rate 
has grown to a larger and larger sum, until now the price 
per hour for a man is fifteen or twenty cents. The law in 
regard to a highway-tax-payer's right to work out his tax 
on the road has been also changed to a law that gives the 
surveyor the sole right to work out the entire ward's 
tax himself if he chooses to do so. 

A petition signed by Samuel Symonds, John Howe, 
Francis Elliot, Daniel Kenney, Edward Nichols, and nine 
or ten others, praying that they may be set off to join with 
others belonging to the neighboring towns, to be made a 
separate town, was presented to the town at their annual 
meeting in March, 1727. It was put to vote, and passed 
in the negative. At the next annual meeting it was again 
presented, put to vote, and passed in the affirmative. 
These, together with other families belonging to the towns 
of Topsfield, Salem, and Andover, after obtaining leave 
from their respective towns to be incorporated into a new 
town, petitioned the General Court to grant them a town- 
ship charter. Their request was complied with ; and they 
were incorporated, under an act of that honorable body, 
June 20, 1728, as a town, bearing the name of Middleton. 
Hitherto Boxford and Salem adjoined ; now Middleton was 
located between them. The line was consequently changed 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 155 

to that which now divides Middleton and Boxford. Some 
six hundred acres were taken from Boxford, and the popu- 
lation was reduced about a hundred, by this subtraction. 

It had been the custom for many years to have timber 
cut in New Hampshire on the banks of the Merrimac 
River, and floated down the stream to the coast, where it 
was transformed into vessels. Most, and perhaps all, of 
this timber was used at Newburyport and Salisbury. There 
being nothing but the exertions of the ship-builders to 
stop the logs from being carried out at sea when a storm 
was sweeping along the coast, thousands of tons of valua- 
ble ship-timber were thus often lost. The people of north- 
ern Essexshire at length, deeming it too great a loss to 
the colony, petitioned the General Court to have a boom 
placed across the river between Gage's and Griffin's fer- 
ries, just above Haverhill. The Boxford petition was sent 
in February, 1727, and was signed by Stephen Peabody 
and Jonathan Tyler, in behalf of the town. These petitions 
were granted by the Court at their next sitting. The 
boom was to stop the logs, from which they were conveyed 
to the ship-builders, probably by being made into rafts.* 

A tannery was erected here about 1725 by Francis 
Perlcy. It was in operation in 175 1, and later. He re- 
sided on the farm, now in the possession of Mr. DeWitt 
C. Mighill, the old house in which he lived having been 
removed and the present dwelling erected, some sixty 
years ago. Mr. Perley hired some workmen, and, from some 
accounts that we have seen, we should judge that he did 
considerable business. This was the first tannery erected 
in the town ; and, until near the close of the eighteenth 
century, in it were probably tanned all the hides produced 
by the farmers of Boxford. 

Jacob Smith and Ebenezer Sherwin were the coopers at 
the time of which we are writing. Zebediah and Jeremiah 

* See the original petition in the Mass. Archives, Vol. CV., p. 124. 



156 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Foster were wheelwrights. Josiah Bridges was a black- 
smith about 1700. John Stewart was a blacksmith about 
1730; and Solomon Stewart kept a kind of store, we pre- 
sume, as we find him selling stationery and legal blanks. 
Ephraim Smith was the only cabinet-maker in the town at 
this time, of which we have learned. John Woster was a 
basket-maker, and made most of his neighbors' baskets. 

Nathan Dresser moved from Rowley to Boxford in 1728, 
and immediately erected a blacksmith-shop near his 
residence on the old Dresser road, in the East Parish. 
Here he did an extensive business. His son, John Dresser, 
born here in 1735, worked at that trade with his father 
when he became old enough, and, after his father's death, 
carried on the business alone. John had a son Nathan 
born to him in 1790, who became his successor in the 
business. Nathan Dresser died Sept. 13, 1829; and his 
widow Susanna, the following year, married Elijah Wilson of 
Salem, N.H., who resided on the old place, and demolished 
the shop about 1835. In shoeing horses in early days, it 
was customary for the customer to furnish the stock, — if 
he did not he would be charged so much extra for finding 
it. The shoes were manufactured only as fast as they were 
needed. Such items as this render the early accounts inter- 
esting : "June 22, 1735, cr. by shoeing horse, all round; 
I found iron for one shoe." The coal used by the smith 
was the charcoal of our ancestors, which was manufactured 
by himself or some of his neighbors. It was not uncom- 
mon among the wealthier families to have kilns, in which 
they burned their charcoal. Some families in ye olden 
time did little else than burn charcoal ; one of these being 
undoubtedly Richard Tyler's, as he appears to sell consider- 
able coal, and buy a great deal of " swamp-wood," out 
of which it was manufactured. 

The old cemetery in the West Parish was the first one 
used there. The most ancient gravestone now standing 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 157 

there bears the following inscription, which proves its 
antiquity : — 

HERE LYES BURIED 

THE BODY OF 

HEPHZIBAH Y e WIFE 

OF IABEZ DORMAN 

WHO DIED FEBRUARY 

Y e 4 I 716 IN Ye 

35 YEAR OF HER 

AGE, 

In May, 1785, the parish bought of Mr. Tyler Porter, for 
thirty shillings, a piece of land, which they annexed to the 
original area, and " fenced the front side with a handsome 
stone wall, four feet high, and the other three sides with a 
common stone wall, three and a half feet high." This is 
probably the same wall which now surrounds the premises, 
except on the south side. A few years ago another strip 
of ground was annexed to the south side. 

The Harmony Cemetery near the residence of B. S. 
Barnes, Esq., is nearly, if not quite, as old as the preced- 
ing. The oldest headstone there bears the following in- 
scription : — 

HERE LYES BURIED 

THE BODY, OF FAITH 

BOOTMAN, Y e WIFE OF 

MATHEW BOOTMAN 

WHO DIED MARCH, Y e 

4, I 71 7 & IN THE 

23 YEAR OF HER 

AGE. 

UNDER THIS TURF YOU MAY BEHOLD 
A LAMB OF GOD FET FOR Ye FOLD. 

The original plot was only about half the size of the 
present. It extended toward the road as far as the tomb 
of Thomas Perley. June 3, 1766, it was enlarged by the 



158 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

purchase of the new part, for four pounds and three shillings, 
of Thomas Wood (who lived across the road), by twenty- 
three * of the families in the vicinity. 

The first mention made of colored people in Boxford is 
about 1730. From that time to 1780 the names of some 
twenty-five appear upon the records. On the adoption of 
the State Constitution, in 1780, they all became free; after 
that time but few, perhaps not more than three or four, 
resided in the town. At present there are three residents 
of color. 

The following are some of the names of the early slaves, 
viz. : Tamsin, Notur, Flora, Candace, Rose, C<zsar, Primus, 
Hagar, Titus, Phillis, DiuaJi, Scipio, and Pompey. Tamsin 
belonged to Benjamin Porter; was born about 1720, and 
had several children. She was noted for the foul use of 
strong liquor. Mark Snelling was a mulatto, born about 
1720, and lived most of the time with Dr. Wood. He took 
to himself a wife, and became the father of Asa Snelling 
(who died at Phineas Perley's, in 1823, aged eighty-six 
years), whom our older residents remember. Dinah, born 
about 1759, was a slave of Deacon Thomas Chadwick from 
four years of age. About 1 800 she went to live with her 
sister in North Andover. In 1826 she was still living 
there, having been almost blind for some time. The 
families of Chadwick and Porter probably owned most of 
the slaves, though several families held them as servants. 
The Rev. John Cushing had a small negro-boy named 
Timon. Most of the slaves appear to have been owned 
in the West Parish. 

A queer character, who was at the height of her career a 

* Their names were as follows, viz. : Thomas Perley, Moses Perley, Paul 
Prichard, Jonathan Wood, Aaron Wood, William Perley, Daniel Nurse, 
Asa Perley, Joseph Hale, jun., Moses Hale, Francis Perley, Solomon Wood, 
Huldah Perley, Nathan Wood, Joseph Hale, Richard Peabody, Nathaniel 
Perley, Nathaniel Perkins, John Butman, Jacob Hazen, Ezekiel Jevvett, 
Benjamin Perley, and John Hale, all of Boxford. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 159 

century and a half ago, was an old woman known for miles 
around as " Mother Dowen." She lived in a cave, which 
was, an excavation made on the southern declivity of a hill, 
not far from the residence of Mr. Gardner S. Morse, The 
sides of the cave were stoned up, and the top covered with 
boards or similar material. Her maiden name was Mary 
Snelling. She had several children, and her husband 
(Robert Dowen, whom she married in Haverhill, Nov. 13, 
1 7 19) was dead. For a living, she stole sheep, and, to hide 
her thefts, threw the refuse of the animals into Mare Pond. 
One of her children, Mary, was admitted to the Second 
Church in 1744, and in 1751 married Amos Foster of 
Upper Ashuelot. Another, John, born about 1727, was 
bound out by the selectmen, June 21, 1739, to Ebenezer 
Webster, a farmer of Haverhill, for nine years and six 
months. 



CHAPTER VII. 

INCORPORATION OF THE PARISHES, &>c. 

Incorporation of the Second Parish. — First Second-Par- 
ish Meeting of its Inhabitants. — Their Meeting-House. 

— Rev. John Cushing settled. — Their Church-Covenant. 

— Deacons chosen. — A Part of Andover annexed to 
the Second Parish. — First First-Parish Meeting of its 
Inhabitants. — New Meeting-House. — Rev. Mr. Rogers' 
Dismission. — Trouble with Him and his Heirs. — His 
Ministry and Life. 

(i^p^^^OTHING occurred out of the regular routine of 



' a pastor s duties during the first thirty years 




of Rev. Mr. Rogers' pastorate. In that time, 
however, great changes had been going on in the 
As we have before inferred, the meeting-house 
had been rather shabbily built, and before it had been in 
existence thirty years was regarded as almost unfit for 
use. In a warrant calling a town-meeting in December, 
1730, an article was inserted to see if the town would build 
a new meeting-house. It was put to vote, and passed in 
the negative. It was again voted on in January, 1734, with 
the same result. The reason of this was, that the north- 
western part of the town had increased in population to 
such an extent that they were able to maintain a minister 
among themselves. Most of them attended and belonged 
to the churches in Bradford and Andover. In 1730, or 
about that time, they conceived the idea of erecting a 
church of their own. In view of this, they had repeatedly 



160 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. l6l 

resisted the older part of the town in their endeavors to 
obtain a vote of the town to build a new meeting-house. 

Before the north-western inhabitants endeavored to be 
separated from the south part of the town, and made into a 
lawful precinct by themselves, they had got their timber 
prepared for the frame, and all the materials ready to 
prosecute the erection of a meeting-house, so that it was 
raised on the thirteenth day of June, 1734, and finished so 
that they had preaching in it that summer. This edifice 
was situated in the " meeting-house lot," a little way 
south of the new cemetery. In the following winter they 
prepared a petition, which they sent to the General Court, 
praying that they might be set off, and be incorporated 
into a separate precinct. The following is a copy of the 
petition : — 

"A petition of Samuel Tyler & other inhabitants of the northerly 
part of the Town of Boxford shewing that they live at a great distance 
from the place of public worship in said town, so that many of their 
familys are detained at home on the Lord's day by reason of that diffi- 
culty, that they have erected a meeting house in that part of the 
Town, And at their own Charge supported the Preaching of the 
' Gospel among them, and therefore praying that they and their families 
and estates may be freed from the charge (which they till now have 
borne) of supporting the minister in the other part of the town and be 
erected into a separate precinct by the following Bounds, Viz. From 
a pine tree standing in Andover line northerly to the lower end of long 
pond, then upon the pond to the upper end thereof, then between 
land of D r Wood and Worster's farm and land of Jonathan Kym- 
ball and Samuel Spafford to Rogers tree, and so bounded on Rowley, 
Bradford and Andover." 

The petition was read in the House of Representatives 
on Thursday, April 10, 1735 ; and the petitioners were 
ordered to serve the town of Boxford with a copy of the 
petition, that the town might show cause, if they had any, 
why the prayer of the petitioners should not be granted. 

Three families there were against their being organized 



162 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

into a separate parish, but were desirous of being annexed 
to Bradford. These families (John Peabody's, John Hov- 
ey's, and George Carleton's) prepared and sent to the 
General Court a petition embodying their views of the 
matter, to counteract that of Samuel Tyler and others. 
In the Council it was read, and referred to the next May 
session. 

The subject came up before the Court the second time, 
Wednesday, June 4, 1735, when the petition (Samuel Tyler 
and others') was again read, together with the answer of 
the town of Boxford ; and the parties being heard at the 
" board," and the matter fully considered, it was ordered 
that (in answer to the petition of Samuel Tyler and 
others) Samuel Thaxter, Joseph Dwight, and John Cush- 
ing, jun., Esqs., should be a committee to view the situation, 
and consider the circumstances of the petitioners, as well 
as the petition of John Peabody, John Hovey, and George 
Carleton, with their situation and circumstances, seasonably 
notifying the town of Boxford of their committee, and that 
they report to the Court at their next sitting what they 
judge proper to be done thereon ; and that the petition 
aforesaid be referred to the next sitting of the Court for 
further consideration. On the same day the petition of 
John Peabody and others was brought up, but was referred 
to the next sitting of the Court. The committee of the 
Legislature came to Boxford, and after examining all parties 
interested, and the situation of the premises, reported that 
the prayer of the petition of Samuel Tyler and others ought 
to be granted. Accordingly, June 28, 1735, the Legislature 
ordered that the report of the committee should be accepted, 
and that the petitioners, together with John Peabody and 
others above mentioned, and their families and estates, 
should be set off " a distinct precinct," and that the charge 
of the committee, which amounted to thirteen pounds and 
three pence, be paid by the petitioners. The Council con- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 163 

curred with the House in the order, July 1. The East 
Parish also came into existence at the same time. 

In the House of Representatives, Wednesday, July 2, 
1735, it was ordered "that Mr. Luke Hovey, one of the 
principal inhabitants of the new precinct, be authorized and 
empowered to assemble the freeholders and other qualified 
voters, as soon as may be, in some convenient place, to 
make choice of principal officers to stand till the anniver- 
sary meeting in March next." Accordingly a parish-meeting 
was called, and held on the twenty-second day of the same 
month, this being their first parish-meeting. The follow- 
ing officers were chosen : For assessors, Cornelius Brown, 
John Kimball, and John Woster ; collector of taxes, John 
Chadwick ; treasurer, Capt. John Tyler ; and parish-clerk, 
Zebadiah Foster. Mr. Foster held the office of clerk until 
1747, when Joseph Hovey was chosen ; Mr. Hovey was 
superseded by Stephen Runnels in 1763, and Mr. Runnels 
by William Foster in 1771. John Cushing, son of the 
first minister in the West Parish, was chosen clerk the 
next year, and held the office for a long period. 

At a meeting Aug. 12, the parish "voted to appropriate 
fifty pounds for preaching, as far as it will go from the time 
they were made a parish." At this meeting it was voted to 
have the pews of the church in two bodies. They had not 
built any of the pews as yet, nor laid any of the floor in the 
galleries, which was voted to be done. Aug. 28, they chose 
Daniel Wood, Job Tyler, and John Woster, a committee to 
oversee and manage the work of finishing the meeting- 
house so far as it was voted. At this meeting Ensign 
Luke Hovey was ordered to provide " a Law Book, a Clerk 
book & an assessors Book," the two last being well pre- 
served at the present time. It was also voted that the first 
Tuesday in March should be the day of their annual meet- 
ing. Dec. 1, 1735, it was voted "to Build the Gallerys 
Stears and Build the fronts of all the Gallery, — and three 



164 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Seats In Each Gallery." Feb. 12, 1735-36", voted "to 
Lath and plaister the meeting house and to putt In Joyce 
In the Beanies to plaister on and to Case the Winddows." 
March 2, voted to " Ceaill the meeting house With Boards 
from the Bottom to the Bottom of the Windows Round." 
Also, voted to " plaister ye meetting house overhead and 
under the gallieryes With the Walls, only what is Excepted 
In the above Sd voat." 

Before the parish was incorporated as a legal district, 
the inhabitants had preaching among them for some time ; 
but, as no record was commenced until after its incorpora- 
tion, we have no means of knowing the particulars. Their 
records say that Mr. John Rogers preached until Dec. 1, 
1 735, for which service he was paid two pounds per Sunday. 
Feb. 12, 1735-36, it was voted to hire Mr. John Cushing 
to preach the next quarter, which he did. When this 
quarter was out, April 22, 1736, the parish voted to set 
Thursday, May 13, apart as "a day of fasting in oi<der to 
call a minister and take advice of other ministers." Revs. 
John Rogers of Boxford, Barnard of Andover, Parsons 
of Bradford, and Chandler of Rowley, were invited " as 
ye ministers to give advice & assist in y e Sd day of 
fasting." Rev. John Cushing, who was then supplying 
the pulpit, was evidently proposed ; as a committee was 
chosen, May 25, " to discourse with Mr. Cushing, and know 
the terms he will settle on, or whether he inclines to 
settle." 

Dec. 9, 1736, was kept as a day of fasting and prayer 
by the people of the West Parish, previous to the ordina- 
tion, and in order to the gathering of the church, at which 
several of the neighboring ministers were invited to be 
present. The exercises were as follows : Rev. Mr. Bar- 
nard of Andover began with prayer ; Rev. Mr. Parsons of 
Bradford preached from Eph. ii. 20 ; and Rev. Mr. Bar- 
nard (?) "incorporated the church." As soon as it was in- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 165 

corporated, the church gave a unanimous call to Rev. Mr. 
dishing, who was present, " to settle in the work of ye 
Gospel ministry among them ; " to which invitation he as- 
sented, as he had done before the church was fully em- 
powered to call a minister. The 29th of the same month, 
Thursday, was appointed as the day of ordination. The 
neighboring churches were invited to be present by their 
elders and delegates, to assist in the ordination. On the 
day appointed the Rev. Mr. Cushing was ordained to the 
gospel ministry there by the following exercises : Rev. Mr. 
Balch of Bradford began with prayer ; Rev. Mr. Phillips 
of Andover preached from Matt, xxviii. 1 8-20 ; Rev. Mr. 
Cushing of Salisbury gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Barnard 
of Andover gave the right hand of fellowship ; Rev. Mr. 
Parsons of Bradford concluded with' prayer ; and the four 
last-mentioned gentlemen imposed hands. 

The church when at first incorporated consisted of mem- 
bers dismissed from the First Church in Boxford, and the 
First Church in Bradford. The following, who signed the 
covenant when the church was embodied, were dismissed 
from the First Church in Bradford, viz. : Cornelius Brown, 
Nathan Fames, Daniel Wood, Stephen Runnells, Luke 
Hovey, jun., Joseph Hovey, Jonathan Sherwin, Ebenezer 
Sherwin, Caleb Brown, Jonathan Cole, John Crooke, Mary 
Eames, Sarah Eames, Sarah Wood, Dorcas Hovey, Mary 
Sherwin, Hephzibah Sherwin, and Judith Cole ; and the fol- 
lowing were dismissed from the First Church in Boxford, 
viz. : Luke Hovey, John Hovey, Zebadiah Foster, John 
Kimball, Nathan Kimball, John Woster, James Scales, 
Mehitable Chadwick, Margaret Foster, Sarah Porter, Eliz- 
abeth Tyler, Sarah Spofford, Elizabeth Tyler, Elizabeth 
Kimball, Sarah Kimball, Ruth Tyler, Mary Woster, and 
Mary Scales. 

Jan. 23, 1736-37, John Chadwick, Samuel Spofford, 
Richard Tyler, and Samuel Tyler were admitted as mem- 



166 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

bers of the church upon their dismission from the First 
Church in Boxford. The same day Jeremiah Eames was 
admitted a member of the church upon his dismission 
from the First Church in Bradford. 

The original covenant of the church was as follows : — 

"We whose Names are hereunto Subfcribed apprehending our- 
selves called of God to join together in Church-State, and to Embody 
ourselves In Order to become a particular Church or Flock of y e Lord 
Jesus ; (acknowledging our unworthiness of Such an honor & Privi- 
ledge) We do profess & declare our serious Belief of y e Christian 
religion, as Contained in y e Sacred Scriptures, and as expressed in 
ye Confession of Faith, Commonly received by y e Churches in this 
Land, heartily resolving to Conform our Lives to y e Rules of that holy 
religion as Long as we Live. And therefore 

"We do now in y e presence of God himself, his holy Angels & all 
his Servants here present, give up ourselves unto y e Lord Jehovah, 
who is y e Father, y e Son & y e holy Ghost, and avouch Him this day 
to be our God. 

"We give up ourselve to y e Lord Jesus Christ, relying on him as 
our Priest, Prophet & King ; promising by y e help of his Grace to 
glorify God in all the Duties of a Godly Sober & righteous Life; and 
very particularly to uphold Family & Closet worship, and to attend 
ye Publick worship of God, the Sacraments of y e New Testament the 
Discipline of Christ's Kingdom, and all his holy Institutions in Com- 
munion with one another, & Carefully avoiding all Sinfull Conten- 
tions. 

"We do give ourselves one to another in y e Lord, Covenanting to 
walk together as a Church of Christ according to y e Rules of God's 
holy Word, promising faithfully to watch over one another in Broth- 
erly Love and to Submit ourselves to y e Discipline & power of Christ 
in his Church, and Duly to attend y e Seals and Censures, or whatever 
ordinances Christ has commanded to be observed by his people, So far 
as y e Lord by his word and Spirit has or shall reveal unto us to be 
our Duty. 

" We also present, this Day, our offspring with us unto the Lord 
promising to give them a Christian Education, and avouching y e Lord 
to be not only our God but also y e God of our children, Esteeming 
it a very high favour that y e most high will accept of us, and our 
children with us to be his People. 

"And now, that we may keep this our Covenant with God & with 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 167 

one another, we desire to Deny ourselves and to depend wholly on 
y e free mercy of God, and y e merritts & Grace of Christ Jesus : and 
wherein we shall fail to wait on God for Pardon thro' y e name of 
Christ, beseeching y e Lord Jehovah to own us as a Church of Christ 
that He would take delight to Dwell among, and that his blessing 
may be upon us & on our families, and his glorious Kingdom be 
advanced by us. Amen." 

Mr. dishing was paid, in the early years of his mipis- 
try, one hundred and forty pounds in money, and twenty- 
five cords of wood, annually. His settlement fund was 
three hundred pounds. In 1748 his salary was increased 
to three hundred pounds. In December of that year the 
parish voted " to give y e Rev d M r Cufhing 400 & Twenty 
pounds old Ten r for his Salery for ye year Ensuing." 

It was voted, Feb. 4, 1736-37, to purchase for the observ- 
ance of the Lord's Supper " proper and sufficient uten- 
sils," consisting of two flagons, four tankards, and two 
dishes, together with suitable table-linen ; also, a baptism- 
basin. The church was presented shortly after with four 
tankards by the wife of Ephraim Foster, two dishes by the 
wife of John Foster, a baptism-basin by the wife of Nathan 
Eames, and another tankard by the wife of John Woster. 

The deacons were chosen Feb. 28, 1736-37. The first 
deacon was John Woster, and the second, Caleb Brown. 
The sacrament was to be administered on the first Sunday 
of each odd month (January, March, May, &c). Ebenezer 
Sherwin was voted to "tune the Psalm;" in 1748 Luke 
Hovey, jun., was chosen to that office. 

The General Court, June 13, 1740, ordered the families 
of David, Ephraim, John, and Moses Foster, Joseph Rob- 
inson, Joseph Robinson, jun., and Samuel and Timothy 
Sessions of Andover, with their lands, to be annexed to the 
Second Parish. During the following five years several 
more Andover families were annexed to the parish : some 
of them who were subsequently annexed to the parish were 



l68 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the Barkers, Merrills, and Lacys. These families have 
continued to belong to that parish, the present parish-clerk 
being an Andover man. 

After this date (1735) the town ceased to have any voice 
in church matters. Each parish afterward separately con- 
ducted its ecclesiastical affairs. 

The first meeting held by the East Parish was on 
Monday, Nov. 17, 1735, at which Thomas Redington was 
chosen parish-clerk. He held the office until 1742, with 
one exception, in the year 1737, when Joseph Hale filled 
the position. For a number of years, commencing 1743, 
Amos Perley was the clerk. 

In 1736 Josiah Batchelcler, on recompense of three 
pounds and ten shillings, surveyed the parish for the purpose 
of finding the centre, in which they proposed to set their 
new meeting-house, to the building of which none were 
now opposed. Oct. 5, 1736, it was voted that, when the 
parish erected their meeting-house, it should be set on 
the hill behind Mr. Rogers' residence, — where the old one 
stood. It was also voted that' it should be built thirty-eight 
feet wide, forty-eight feet long,and twenty-four feet stud ; 
" the meeting-house shall be studded and boarded, and 
clapboarded on the stud on the outside, and lathed and 
plastered on the inside, both on the ends and sides 
and also overhead under the beams ; and that there shall 
be a fashionable roof, well finished, the boards pointed with 
lime, and good decent windows, agreeable to the quality of 
the house." Toward defraying the expense of erecting 
the meeting-house the parish granted six hundred pounds. 

Nov. 10, 1740, the parish voted that their meeting-house 
should stand on " the northwardly corner of the pasture 
that was purchased of John Buswell, deceased, a little to 
the south, or south-west, of the place where Mr. Batchelcler 
declared the centre of the parish was." It was ultimately 
placed in front of the present meeting-house. Whether 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 169 

this is the spot designated by the above vote, or not, we do 
not know. At the same meeting it was voted to " repair 
the old meeting-house, so that it would be tight and warm 
till the new one should be ready, in the following manner, 
viz. : to shingle the foreside of the roof, clapboard both 
ends and the foreside, make new doors, new window-frames 
and casements, reset the glass, and, where the glass is 
broken and gone, to put in new panes." 

June 12, 1744, it was voted to " plaster the meeting-house 
under the beams and down to the sills, and under the 
galleries." It was also voted "to have an alley made, lead- 
ing from the fore door to the pulpit, the width of the door ; 
and a row of seats each side of the alley, and a convenient 
alley elsewhere." The whole was to be " underpinned well 
and pointed with lime." Feb. 13, 1745, it was voted that 
there should be twenty-one windows in the meeting-house, 
to be arranged in two tiers, one above the other. Those 
in the lower tier were to contain twenty-eight, and those in 
the second tier twenty-four, panes each, each pane to be 
seven by nine inches. The pulpit was lighted by a win- 
dow ; one was also placed in each gable. A large " sound- 
ing-board " was placed directly above the pulpit. Its 
dimensions were so great that it seemed as if the slender 
rod which held it in its position in the air would give way, 
and it would come dashing down on the parson's head. 

The meeting-house was so far finished* that the sale of 
the pews took place Sept. 17, 1745, at an average of about 
twenty-seven pounds apiece. They were bid off by the 
following persons : 1. Robert Andrews ; 2. John Symonds ; 
3. John Peabody, jun. ; 4. Francis Perley ; 5. Nathaniel 
Symonds; 6. Joseph Hale, jun.; 7. Thomas Perley, jun.; 
8. Thomas Andrews, jun. ; 9. widow Martha Dorman ; 10. 
(was not sold); n. Amos Perley; 12. Asa Perley; 13. 

* On a timber in the frame of the old edifice were engraved the figures 
" 1742." This was probably the year in which it was raised. 



170 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Oliver Andrews; 14. John Wood; 15. Jonathan Bixby ; 
16. John Hale; 17. Jeremiah Perley and Thomas Red- 
ington ; 18. Aaron Kimball. 

The meeting-house was accepted by the parish Dec. 10, 
1745. Its entire cost was about fifteen hundred pounds. 
The old church continued to be used until the first Sunday 
in January, 1747, when religious services were first held 
in the new meeting-house. Probably the reason of this 
was that no regular services were held in the parish, in 
consequence of the dissolution of Mr. Rogers' ministerial 
relation with them in 1743 ; after which for many years 
the church was kept in a complete hubbub. 

What the cause of Mr. Rogers' dissolution of his relation 
with the church was we have not been able to determine. 
Perhaps the sketch of the life of his son, Rev. John Rogers, 
jun., may throw some light upon it, although it might have 
been from secular causes, or he might have wished to 
retire from the ministry altogether, which he did. The 
house and land that had been first owned by Rev. Mr. 
Symmes had been conferred upon Mr. Rogers, under the 
same conditions. After his dismission, according to the 
agreement, he should have given up the house and land 
to the town ; but he refused to do it, and therefore the 
parish were very wroth against him. They tried all possi- 
ble persuasions to have him do as they wished ; but he 
remained stubborn, and would not give in. Charges were 
also instituted against him, but he would not quail to them. 
What these charges were has not come to our notice. 

Mr. Rogers removed to his son's in Leominster just 
before 1750. After his removal several letters passed 
between him and the society, regarding the charges, &c, 
laid to him. One, dated Jan. 8, 175 1, is all that we have 
found entire. It contains some very spicy clauses, and is 
withal very interesting. We insert it in full : — 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 171 

" Beloved brethren : In yours of Dec. 21, 1750, you say ' we should 
be glad to be informed what council you esteem to be regular,' &c. I 
will make you glad. Such a council is one chosen, the one half by 
you, the other by me, according to the platform of the Word of God, 
and, as in such a case as this, there must be a concurrence of each 
party ; so the business of a council in general is to judge of the Chris- 
tian conduct of the members or officers of a church : to receive and 
forgive the penitent, to eject obstinate offenders or heretics after the 
second admonition, they to be esteemed as heathens or publicans. 
Ecclesiastical council is not as a civil court about seculars, but spirit- 
uals, of a church. Not coercive by mulcts corporal or pecuniary but 
suasory and directive, to the unholy and profane, &c. See 1 Tim. i. 
9, 10 verses, &c. I desire you may have the preeminence to choose 
first for you are many. I will take your leavings to fill up the council, 
to be held in Boxford when and where you please. But send me a 
letter to inform me in the affairs : what you have done. As to the 
charges,* I don't think it hard for you who are rich to bear them, but 
it would not be prudence for me, who have little, or nothing, to prom- 
ise to pay till you pay me, &c. Nor do I see any reason for the poor 
accused to oblige himself to help the potent accusers to defray the 
charges of their prowess against him. Some, it maybe, will say 'if 
you will not join with us in bearing the charges as well as the result 
of the council, we will have none.' But, I say, where then is your 
zeal for purging out the old leaven, for the reclaiming or punish- 
ing the scandalous brother. But, if you had used the previous steps 
which our supreme Lord has prescribed to gain a brother, you should 
have seen upon due conviction his confession, free and public, 
enough. But seeing you love to skip or stride over to the council I 
am willing they should hear all those things my visible accusers lay to 
my charge, and if the accusations be proved by authentic, impartial, 
unbiased witnesses, I will bear the reproof due to me, for 'if the 
righteous smite me it shall be a kindness,' &c. They may show me 
my transgressions and the error of my ways more clearly and fully 
than I have yet known, to my further humiliation and repentance. I 
believe in the future judgment, about which I have more concern 
than any human, and know I must ere long appear before a far more 
awful and strict tribunal to give an account of all the thoughts, words, 
and actions of my whole life, my principles, motives, ends, and man- 
ner of my conduct in the sight of God and man; 'for God will bring 
every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether good or 

* Charges or expenses of the council. 



172 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

evil.' The Lord enable us to live in the exercise of repentance toward 
God, against whom we have sinned, — oh, how many ways, how griev- 
ously! — and that we may live in the exercise of faith on our L. J. C.,* 
by whom we receive the atonement and consequently love and new obe- 
dience and patience that we may be followers of those who through 
this faith and patience are now inheriting the promises, always looking 
to Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, &c. In a word my 
constant prayer is, that we may be found in him, not having on our 
own righteousness, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the 
righteousness which is of God by faith. Amen and amen. 

"Jan. 8, 1751. 

" P.S. Though I would pay due deference to your letter of the 21 
of Dec, 1750; yet I must be excused if I say such is my dulness of 
apprehension that I see not the least shadow of reason to alter my 
opinion expressed in my letter to you of Dec. 1, 1750, concerning 
yours of July 10, containing your articles of charge." 

We cannot find that any council was held, and do not 
think there was. Their disagreement was continued year 
in and year out, neither party coming to terms. Mr. 
Rogers would not give up his title to the house and land 
until the parish paid him the balance of his salary, and the 
parish was as contrary the other way. The parish-clerk 
says, " our long perplexed and distressed circumstances " 
were settled in March, 1752 ; but the acknowledgment of 
settlement is dated Sept. 7, 1761. Mr. Rogers died in 
1755, leaving the matter unsettled, which was continued 
by his widow, the executrix of his will ; and after her death, 
which happened two years later, it was carried on by her 
executors, her sons John and Nathaniel Rogers of Leo- 
minster, who settled for the sum of ^210, and gave a 
paper to the parish, of which the following is a copy, for 
the acknowledgment of the receipt of the money, which 
ended the trouble. 

"This may certify that we, the subscribers, John Rogers of Leo- 
minster, in the County of Worcester, in the Province of the Massa- 

* Lord Jesus Christ. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 173 

cliusetts Bay, in New England, clerk, and Nathaniel Rogers, of the 
same town, county, and province, gentleman, have, as executors of 
the last will and testament of Susanna Rogers, late of said Leo- 
minster, deceased, received of Thomas Perley, Thomas Andrews, and 
Solomon Wood, a committee and agents for the First Parish in Box- 
ford, the sum of two hundred and ten pounds, lawful money, which we 
acknowledge is in full for all the demands we have upon the First 
Parish in Boxford as executors of the will of said Susanna Rogers, 
or as heirs to the Rev. John Rogers, late of Leominster, deceased, 
formerly the pastor of the said First Parish in Boxford, respecting any 
contracts between the town of Boxford and the said John Rogers, 
originally their pastor, respecting his salary, or on account of any 
votes passed by the said First Parish in Boxford, touching salary, or 
maintenance, and the arrears of salary, or on account of any de- 
mand, real or personal, either upon the said town or First Parish in 
Boxford, from the beginning of the world until this day, either upon 
account of heirship, or executorship, to the late said John and Su- 
sanna ; for which consideration we do by these presents finally acquit 
and discharge and covenant to indemnify the town and First Parish in 
Boxford of and from all demands, as well real as personal of the 
said John, his heirs, executors, or administrators of what name or 
nature soever. Sealed with our seals, and dated at Leominster, Sep- 
tember the seventh, one thousand seven hundred and sixty-one, and 
in the first year of his Majesty's reign. 

" Signed, sealed, and delivered " JOHN ROGERS. 

" In presence of 



-JONATHAN WHITE, „ ^^ Rqgers# 

"Thomas Wilder." 



Rev. Mr. Rogers was son of Jeremiah Rogers of Salem, 
who belonged to a family which claims the distinction of 
descent from "the martyr," "the first of that blessed 
company who suffered in the reign of Mary," and which 
is really entitled to the renown of having furnished to the 
New-England churches, through five generations, some of 
their most able, faithful, and godly ministers. One of our 
John's descendants has a Bible which is claimed to be the 
one which his ancestor bore to the stake at his execution. 
It is partly burnt. 

Felt says that Mr. Rogers' parents seem to have been 



174 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

in humble life and indigent condition. (Felt's Annals, p. 
380.) He graduated at Harvard College in 1705, and four 
years afterwards was settled over the Boxford church, 
which was probably the only place where he was ever 
settled as a pastor. He married Susanna Marston of 
Salem, March 24, i7io(?), who survived him two years, he 
dying in 1755, and she in 1757, in Leominster. Nine 
children were born to them, viz. : Susanna, b. June 28, 
171 1 ; John, b. Sept. 24, 1712 (see his biography) ; Benja- 
min, bapt. Oct. 24, 1714; Mehitable, bapt. Aug., 1716; 
Nathaniel, bapt. July 8, 171 8; Lydia, bapt. Aug. 7, 1720; 
Eunice, bapt. Aug., 1724; Lucia, bapt. Feb. 5, 1727; 
Samuel, bapt. July 5, 1730. The eldest child, Susanna, 
married, Feb. 18, 1735, Dr. Jacob Peabody, a physician in 
Leominster for many years ; Benjamin married Alice (Per- 
ley) Foster, and lived in Boxford ; Lydia married Abijah 
Smith ; and Nathaniel married Rebecca Symonds, and 
lived in Boxford and Leominster. 

During the thirty-four years of Mr. Rogers' ministry 
here two hundred and two persons were admitted to the 
church. More persons were admitted, on a yearly aver- 
age, than during the ministry of any other clergyman 
that was ever settled in Boxford. Mr. Rogers was very 
forcible in his speech, and earnest in its application to 
the desired end. The cause of his falling out with the 
church was probably his bluntness or frankness in preach- 
ing, which characteristic will always produce enemies even 
in the pulpit. We know of nothing against his moral or 
Christian character, but rather the reverse. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1730-1770. 

Overseers of the Poor. — Deer-Reeves. — Schools and 
Schoolmasters. — Pearl's Mill. — The "Wood-Spell." — 
Trouble in the Second Church. — Military Matters. — 
French War. — Capt. Israel Herrick. — French Neu- 
trals. — French and Indian War. — Campaigns of 1759 
and 1760. — Rev. Elizur Holyoke settled over the First 
Church. — Covenant of First Church of 1759. — New 
Singing-Books introduced into the Churches. — Emigra- 
tion. — Death of Rev. Mr. Cushing. — His Ministry and 
Life. — Attempt to settle Another Minister. — Herrick's 
Saw-Mill. — Tailors. — A Poem of Solomon Wood's. — 
Fish Troubles. — Sundry Businesses. — Potash manufac- 
tured. — Property in Boxford in 1768. 

,NTIL the year 1732 the selectmen were what 
Y%. we now term overseers of the poor. They took 
entire charge of the paupers, furnishing them 
with every thing needed for their comfort. May 
22 of that year the town chose a man to officiate in 
that duty separately, to take the whole care upon himself. 
This man was Deacon Timothy Foster, who thus became 
the first overseer of the poor in Boxford. The practice of 
" boarding-out " town paupers was still continued. 

At the period of which we are writing the wild animals 
of the larger varieties were not at all scarce. Game, as 
the population increased, began to decrease, and the town 
found it expedient to do something for its protection. The 
General Court, in May, 1739, passed an Act to that effect ; 

'75 




176 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and the town chose John Wood and Thomas Peabody to 
see that the law was enforced. Deer being the principal 
variety of game, these officers were called " deer-reeves." 

Up to this time bears were frequently found in the woods ; 
but they very soon became scarce, and the last one known 
to have been seen within the limits of the town inhabited 
the swamp in the rear of the residence of Mr. Charles A. 
Spofford. Discovering her retreat, some hunters took away 
her cubs : on returning to her den the old bear pursued 
the hunters to the highway, where, with her fore-paws 
placed upon the top-rail of a pair of bars, she gave utter- 
ance to a prolonged and disconsolate howl, after which she 
immediately made her way to the Merrimac River, which 
she crossed, and, entering the wilds of New Hampshire, 
was never seen again in her old retreat. 

Some discussion was carried on, in 1738, about building 
some schoolhouses, the want of which was very much felt. 
At a town-meeting held in the following spring, May 14, 
1739, it was accordingly voted that the town would divide 
into five parts, each part to provide its own schoolhouse. 
Whether this vote was carried into effect, and the school- 
houses built, or not, we do not know ; but a clause in the 
school-report for 1764 has led us to think they were not, 
although previous to 1765 a schoolhouse stood in the new 
part of the cemetery, near the present Third-District school- 
house ; and in 1774 another stood near the house of the late 
Moses Kimball. In 1779 four hundred pounds was raised 
for the support of schools that year. A Mr. Page was 
hired to teach school in 1740; Mr. Persons taught in 1742 ; 
John Tucker subsequently taught here for several years; 
Mr. Lesslie for several years, about 1748; Mr. Varney 
in 1750; Hon. Aaron Wood during 1752 and spring of 
1753 ; Mr. Butler in spring of 1754, and Mr. Brown the 
rest of the year; and in 1776 Moses Putnam was school- 
master. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 177 

Richard Pear] * removed from Andover to Boxford, and 
built the house owned and occupied by the late George 
Pearl, Esq. (Richard's great-grandson), in 1738. Near his 
residence, on the stream that connects Mitchell's Pond 
with Parker River, he shortly erected a grist-mill, which 
was the first ever built in the West Parish. This ancient 
mill was gone before 1824; and on the same site John 
Pearl and James Carleton founded a saw and box mill about 
1848. Mr. Carleton sold out his share in the mill about four 
years later, to Deacon J. T. Day, who sold it about 1865 to 
Daniel Pingree, who now owns it, Pearl having sold to him 
the share which he possessed. 

The "wood-spell" was recognized as one of the few 
holiday seasons of our ancestors. This was the time of 
getting together the minister's supply of wood, which then 
formed part of his salary. With shouts of the youngsters, 
and the hoarse voice of the drivers, the farmers came into 
the yard, bringing their share of the supply ; and, after un- 
loading, entered with their neighbors the back-room of the 
parsonage, where, in the fireplace which the present gener- 
ation knows so little about, a huge fire, supplied by a verita- 
ble yule-log, was kept burning. The season of the year was 
winter when this grand turn-out took place, and the parson 
would have " something to take " all smoking hot ; for 
such was the custom of those days, and the " good old 
New-England rum " was a reputable drink. Chatting and 
sipping the liquor, they would sit there all through the 
long forenoon, — the people of those days arose early, — 

* Richard Pearl was born in Bradford (in the portion of that ancient 
town that is now included in Groveland) 20 May, 1702, and died in Boxford 
20 Dec, 1793. His father was John Pearl, a native of Skidby, Yorkshire, 
Eng., who was a miller by trade. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of 
Richard Holmes of Rowley. Richard Pearl, in company with another man, 
built the original mill that occupied the site of Hale's factory in South Grove- 
land. Richard Pearl was also grandfather of Peter Pearl, whose long life 
was passed and filled with public offices in the town. 



178 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and then, wishing him prosperity, the parson was left 
alone. Mrs. Stowe has beautifully pictured this scene in 
her Old town Folks. Modern custom has long since laid 
aside the romance which clung around the lives of our 
ancestors, and has left civilization in a cheerless and un- 
lovely form. 

Early in the eighteenth century, a wonderful attention 
to religion had been excited in various sections of New 
England, terminating in a genuine revival. Soon after 
this the celebrated Whitefield, whose sincere and honest 
piety Covvper has immortalized in the most glowing colors, 
and whose eloquence vanquished on one occasion even 
Franklin's philosophical caution, came to New England 
from his fruitful labors at the South. He preached con- 
siderably in our neighborhood, mostly in the open air, and 
wherever the people could be got together to be addressed. 
Mr. Whitefield urged a more earnest devotion to the work 
of God, and the leading of a higher life, — closer communion 
with the Father. In consequence of his teaching, many 
lay-preachers sprang up, who boldly proclaimed the truth, 
and their right, under the immediate command and influ- 
ence of the Holy Spirit, to preach. These " New Lights," 
as they were called, rose up in many of the towns in this 
vicinity and throughout New England generally. In Box- 
ford, the Second Church was disaffected by the " new doc- 
trines," and some of their members, one of whom was John 
Woster, one of the deacons of the church, being per- 
suaded of the correctness of the doctrines, embraced them ; 
and lay-preaching was carried on in some of the houses, 
Deacon Woster's being one of them. The church-records 
mention two of these itinerant preachers, — Joseph Adams 
and Francis Woster, — one, if not both, being residents of 
Boxford. This was in the summer of 1744. The church 
expounded upon the matter, and, believing the doctrines 
taught to be contrary and dangerous to the platform of the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 179 

church which was then common throughout New England, 
they came to the conclusion that these members had 
committed a sin worthy of excommunication ; and because 
they would not recant their opinions in regard to itinerant 
preaching, and refuse the said preachers the use of their 
houses, they were suspended from communion. One of 
them said that his wife was sick on her bed, therefore not 
being able to attend services at the meeting-house, and he 
thought it no more than right that he should have preach- 
ing in his house, where his wife could hear. The church 
was kept in an uproarious state for about four years, when 
the members were restored to the fellowship of the church. 
Deacon Woster had removed to Leicester in 1745. Nov. 
28, 1744, the parish voted that "Benjamin Porter Should 
Keep the Keyes of the meeting house Carefully that the 
meeting house doors bee not opened to any Preachers 
Conterary to the mind of our Rev nd Pastor, the Church 
and parish or the major part of them." 

From 1725 to the beginning of the French War of 
1755-59, the Indian depredations were few. The colonists 
heard but little of their disturbances, and the times were 
getting to be more peaceful and prosperous. Through this 
intervening period the town kept a full supply of ammu- 
nition on hand. Dec. 8, 1741, the town allowed. Nathan 
Peabody £2 for procuring and bringing a barrel of gun- 
powder from Newbury, £,6o having been voted for its pur- 
chase the preceding May. The next September (1742) 
Capt. Jeremiah Perley was ordered to keep one-half of the 
town stock, and John Symonds the other half. March 24, 
1747, it was voted by the East Parish that their ammuni- 
tion should be kept in the meeting-house. 

Only one short period of a few months' duration dis- 
turbed the equanimity of the lives of the colonists during 
this long period of peace. We have reference to the cap- 
ture of Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton. Soon 



180 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

after the treaty of 171 3, in which the French gave up 
Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to Great Britain, the 
French built a large and formidable fort at Louisburg. 
They had been twenty years at work upon it, and had 
made it so strong that it was regarded as a sort of 
Gibraltar. 

Troubles had commenced in 1744 between Great Britain 
and France. The colonies were considered by the Cana- 
dian French as a part of Great Britain, and as such they 
greatly annoyed the colonial commerce. As this fortress 
was the retreat of the depredators, the colonies were very 
eager to capture it. To accomplish this a naval fleet was 
first got ready for sea. Next, 4,366 men were raised from 
the various towns in the province. How many and who 
went from Boxford we have not ascertained. The fortress 
was built in two divisions, — the town and the batteries. — 
and cut off from the main land by a wide marsh. They 
surprised the French, and easily captured the batteries 
and the outposts. But the town was not to be so easily 
taken. The colonists, having taken two months' provision 
with them, were determined upon a siege. The men easily 
crossed the morass that surrounded the town, but it was 
so soft the horses could not pass over. Fourteen days and 
nights were spent in dragging their cannon across. At 
last fire was opened upon the town. The siege lasted 
forty-nine days; and on the 17th .of June, 1745, the town 
and island surrendered. 

When the capture of this important post was made 
known, France quickly prepared a large fleet of forty ships 
of war, and fifty-six transports, with forty thousand stand 
of arms, to re-capture the fortress, and punish the colonies 
for their insolence. But by the interposition of Divine 
Providence a violent storm arose after they were at sea, and 
only two or three of the ships ever reached Halifax. Soon 
after, their admiral and vice-aclmiral died ; and, when the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. l8l 

remnant of the fleet attempted to do something, another 
storm arose which prevented the ships from acting in 
concert, so that nothing was done by the French of any 
importance, except upon the Canadian frontiers. A treaty 
of peace between England and France was at last made, 
and signed at Aix-la-Chapelle, in October, 1748. 

During this conflict we find the names of some of the 
Boxford men who were in the service. They were in the 
company of Capt. Joseph Frye of Andover, doing service 
at Scarborough. We give their names and time of service, 
viz. : — 

Ebenezer Ayer (Sergeant) . from Dec. I, 1748, to Dec. 16, 1748. 

John Bradstreet ... " " " " " " 

Moses Spofford ..." " " " " « 

George Carleton ... " mm « May 1, 1749. 

Samuel Fisk " April 27, 1748," " " 

Hast Williams of Boxford was in the company of Capt. 
Daniel Hills of Newbury, at Gorham Town and New 
Marblehead. Time of service, from Dec. 5, 1749, to Jan. 

5. I750-5L 

Again, when the Eastern frontiers were being troubled, 
in 1754, the following men went out from Boxford, in the 
company of Capt. Humphrey Hobbs of Souhegan, for their 
defence : — 

NAMES. TIME OF SERVICE. 

Israel Herrick* (First Lieut.) . April 23, 1754, to Sept. 19, 1754. 

Daniel Perkins (Clerk of the Co.) May 31, 1754, " Sept. 22, 1754. 

Perley Rogers " km k u 

Nathaniel Bixby .• " " " " " 

John Bradstreet " " " " " 

Thomas Wood " mm Sept. 15, 1754. 

William Spofford . " " " " " 

* Israel Herrick was soon afterward commissioned captain, and com- 
manded a company in the French War. He also fought at the battle of 
Bunker Hill. Mr. Herrick was a son of Joseph Herrick, sometime of 
Topsfield, and a lineal descendant of Sir William Herrick. He married, 



182 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Also, in the company commanded by Capt. Abiel Frye 
(probably an Andover company), in service from May i to 
Sept. 20, 1755, were James Andrews (Sergt.), Asa Andrews 
(Corp.), Abner Curtis, and Robert Willis. 

Joseph Stickney was in Col. Winslow's expedition to 
Nova Scotia as a private from Boxford. His brother Jede- 
diah Stickney is also found on Col. Winslow's manuscript 
journal as one of the soldiers who assisted him in removing 
the Acadians. These two brothers were also in Major 
Preble's company May 28, 1755 (Jedediah as a private from 
Boxford), on board The Sea Flower, Samuel Harris, master. 

In 1755 the French of Nova Scotia took the oath of 
allegiance to the British crown. But they were soon after 
accused of furnishing support and intelligence to the 
French and Indians, and annoying the colonies. Some 
of them being found in arms, it was determined to remove 
them (they being in all about two thousand souls) to New 
England, and distribute them among the various towns. 
About March, 1755, the General Court ordered to Boxford 
thirteen of these people, to which were soon after added 
two more, making in all fifteen. These were Ommer 
Landry, his wife, and four children ; Renar Landry, his 
wife, and one child ; Paul Landry and his wife; a young lad ; 
and three others. The semi-annual bills for their support 
presented by the town to the General Court are kept on 
file in the Massachusetts archives, and form our medium 
of information concerning these French " neutrals." These 
accounts commence June 1, 1756. Some of the French 

June 22, 1749, Abigail, daughter of John and Abigail (Symonds) Killam of 
Boxford, who was born Nov. 30, 1725. He resided in Topsfield till 1753, 
when he removed to Boxford, and built the residence of our present towns- 
man Mr. Israel Herrick, his descendant, in which he resided till after 1762, 
when he removed to Lewiston, Me., where he died, having attained to the 
rank of major. He entered the army in 1745, and was out in nineteen cam- 
paigns. Gen. Jedediah Herrick of Maine, deceased, was Capt. Herrick's 
grandson. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 183 

resided in a house belonging to Jonathan Foster, for which 
he charged four shillings per month as rent. They were 
supplied with fuel, provisions, &c., by the selectmen at the 
town's charge. Others were let out to the highest or 
lowest bidder, according to their ability to work. Capt. 
Francis Perley kept " Old Landry " and two others who 
were wholly supported by the town. Five of the number 
were young children, and several of the remaining ones were 
sickly and hardly able to work a large part of the time. In 
the winter of 1756-57 bne of the men received a bad wound 
in the leg, which prevented him from working for several 
months. In the winter of 1757-58, after an illness of about 
five months, the " old woman " died. Her funeral charges 
were gs. 4-d. The "old man" probably survived but a few 
months. The same winter the town, thinking they were 
doing more than their share in maintaining the " neutrals," 
— though why, we do not know, as the Colony paid the 
bills, — sent the following petition to the General Court, 
praying for an alleviation of their burden : — 

" Masachusetts-Bay 

" To his Excellency the Govemer the Hon l > le his Majestyes Council 
and the House of Representatives In General Court assemb d 

" The petition of the Town of Boxford humbly sheweth that Where- 
as there was by order of this Goverment sometime about the month 
of March anno 1755 thirteen of the Inhabitants of Nova-Scotia sent 
to s d Town to which number there was Two more soon added & still 
likely to Increafe an old man with his wife & one Chield has wholly 
relied on the Town for their support ever since they came to s d Town, 
Two others heads of families have been for six or eight months paft 
Dilabled for labour by reafon of sicknefs & Lamenefs fo that there 
families have been In great meafure supported by the Town Where- 
by s d Town is very much burthen d with the Charge & trouble. 
Therefore there Circumftances being fo Indigent, Your humble Peti- 
tioners pray, that if it may be Confistant with this HonWe Court, that 
some of the sd French Inhabitants may be remov d to some adjacent 
Town where their is none of s d French, or any other way agreable to 



1 84 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



the wifdom of s d Court, whereby your humble Petitioners shall be 
greatly relive d 

" As in Duty shall ever pray &c. 

C " Thos Perley 



P us 



Aaron Kimball 
Jos. Hovey 
Jacob Cummings 
Mos Porter" 



Selectmen 

of 
Boxford. 



In the House of Rep« Jany : 6, 1758. 
" Read and Ordered That the Prayer of this Petition be so far 
granted as that the select men of the said Town of Boxford, have lib- 
erty, if they see Cause, to remove six of the french people mentioned 
that have been fent to them to the Town of Middleton, Viz 1 Ommer 
Landerie, his wife and family ; and the Select men of the Said Town 
of Middleton are hereby directed to receive the said Ommer Landerie 
and his family Accordingly 

" Sent up for Concurrence 



" Read & Concurred 
"Consented to 



"T. Hubbard Spkr 

"In Council Jany 6 1758 

"Thos Clarke Dpty Secry 

"T Pownall." 



So six of their number, to quote the words of the select- 
men, "a family most able to provide for themselves," were 
sent to Middleton. After 1758 the town took little care 
of them. July 3, 1760, Paul Prichard, a constable of 
Boxford, was ordered by the selectmen to remove Joseph 
Landry, John Baptist Landry, and Roseale Landry to Dan- 
vers ; and Margaret White, alias De Blank, to Manchester. 
Joseph Landry was in Chelsea, and so Prichard did not 
warn him ; the others were supporting themselves, so he 
only warned and did not remove them. On the 17th of 
the same month the General Court's committee ordered 
these French to be removed from Boxford. Some of them 
went to Canada, but the number of the survivors was 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 185 

small. When the French were ordered away, Renar and 
Paul Landry were being supported by the town. The 
following is one of the items of the bills of their support : 
"To a pair of Lether Briches for Renar Landry, 8s. Sd." 

A writer of those days says of these neutral French, that 
" they were remarkable for the simplicity of their manners, 
the ardor of their piety, and the purity of their morals ; that 
the cloud of their sorrows was never dispelled ; and in a 
land of strangers many of them pined away and died." 

In May, 1756, eight years of peace having passed, Great 
Britain declared war against France. This declaration 
began the tedious conflict known in the annals of American 
history as " The French and Indian War." The Canadian 
French struck the first blow in America by Gen. Mont- 
calm's attacking and taking Oswego, the American key to 
Lake Ontario, including sixteen hundred of the provincial 
troops, and a large quantity of cannon and military stores. 
This great disaster came upon the colonists very suddenly ; 
but they immediately prepared for action, and quickly sent 
troops into the service. 

An expedition was planned against the fort at Crown 
Point, in which at least one of our young men entered, in 
the company of Capt. Israel Davis. This was Nathaniel 
Bixby, aged twenty years, son of Jonathan Bixby. He was 
taken sick at Fort Edward, and brought to, and placed in, 
the hospital at Albany. His uncle Elias Bixby was living 
at Sheffield, Mass., and, hearing of Nathaniel's condition, 
went to see him, and found him almost beyond hope of 
recovery. His uncle took him to his home in Sheffield, 
where, by careful nursing and good doctoring, after a stay 
of five weeks, he was able to come home (in October, 
1756), his uncle attending him the one hundred and sixty 
miles of the journey.* 

The placing of William Pitt (Lord Chatham) at the head 

* See Mass. Archives, Vol. LXXVIII., p. 55. 



186 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

of the British Ministry in 1758 infused a new spirit into 
all the affairs of the government. He sent letters to all 
the American governors, requiring them to raise as many- 
troops as they could. They quickly complied with his 
request ; and Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Connect- 
icut alone raised fifteen thousand men. Boxford raised 
a "company of foot" for a "general invasion of Canada," 
which was placed under the command of Capt. Israel 
Herrick, in Col. Jedediah Preble's regiment. John Pearl 
enlisted in this company, 30 March, 1758. Under the 
attack of these troops, Louisburg, which had again fallen 
into the hands of the French, and the whole country from 
the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Nova Scotia, surrendered. 

The campaign of 1759 was an important one to the 
English. Niagara, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and, most 
important of all, Quebec, surrendered to the American 
troops. In this campaign Capt. Herrick again com- 
manded a company of provincials from Boxford and vicin- 
ity. He was also out the next year (1760). 

Samuel Stickney of Boxford was in the company of foot 
commanded by Capt. Israel Davis (a Topsfield (?) company), 
Col. Jonathan Bagley's regiment (1759): entered service 
April 2, and served until Nov. 1. He was in the same 
company and regiment at Louisburg, and served from Jan. 
1, 1760, until April 14, 1761, but entered service Nov. 2, 

1759- 

In the campaigns of 1759 and 1760, Capt. Francis 
Peabody of Boxford had a company under his command. 
Lemuel Wood (father of our present resident, Mr. Daniel 
Wood) was a private in Capt. Peabody's company ; and 
from a diary kept by young Wood during these two cam- 
paigns, we have gleaned abundance of information relative 
to the history of the company. The company met and 
started on their march, Thursday, May 24, 1759. They 
reached Springfield a week later, and lodged just by Con- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 187 

necticut-River ferry ; after making a stop of two days they 
again started on their march toward Albany, which they 
reached on Tuesday, June 12, having been ten days on the 
road, and much hindered by heavy rains. They left Al- 
bany on the 15 th, went to Stillwater, then to Fort Miller, 
and then to Fort Edward, where they arrived on the 20th. 
The whole army was stationed there ; but on the arrival of 
our company they marched for the lake, under the com- 
mand of Gen. Amherst. July 4, three of the company 
were placed in the train of artillery, a party consisting of 
fifty-five men. July 21, they marched to Ticonderoga, and 
assisted in making breastworks and intrenchments in front 
of the fort, while all the time the French kept their 
cannons and mortars in constant use, trying to drive the 
provincials from their work. Every thing was ready to 
open fire upon the fort at break of day on the morning of 
July 27 ; but on the preceding evening the French took 
what they could carry with them, and went aboard their 
boats, and sailed off, leaving a lighted slow-match attached 
to the fort's magazine, which blew up about eleven o'clock, 
making a terrific noise. The fort was immediately repaired, 
and taken possession of by our troops. On the next day 
(July 28) our Boxford company helped to transport provis- 
ions, whale-boats, and bateaux, over the land from Lake 
George to Lake Champlain, in order to advance toward 
Crown Point. The labor being tedious and hard, many of 
them having to take their place in the ranks of the sentries, 
and their only provisions being pork and bread, they felt 
their duty to be very hard. The French having deserted 
Crown Point, Capt. Peabody's company remained at Ticon- 
deroga, spending their time in fishing and hunting, some- 
times having some narrow escapes from the savages, till 
the end of the season, when they returned to their homes. 

On Thursday, April 24, 1760, the company again left 
home to participate in the Canada expedition. Following 



188 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

nearly the same line of march as the year before, they 
reached Albany, May 16. Till the 24th they were engaged 
in transporting flour and provisions from Albany to the 
" Three-Mile House." Tuesday, May 27, there was a draft 
on Capt. Peabody's company for twelve privates and one 
corporal. Monday, June 2, they left Albany, and went by 
water to Stillwater ; and after being employed more or less 
of the time in conveying provisions, &c, from one place to 
another, they reached the Lake the 10th inst. After wait- 
ing two days for the boats to be got ready, they set sail for 
Crown Point, where they arrived June 16. Major Rogers, 
with some provincials, — one of whom, at least, belonged 
to Capt. Peabody's company, — on Monday, June 23, re- 
turned from a scout, bringing with them " twenty-six pris- 
oners and two scalps." On the following Friday morning, 
several companies, under command of Col. Ingersoll, among 
whom was Capt. Herrick's (of Boxford), went up the lake 
to Putnam's Point to cut timber with which to build 
bateaux. Monday, Aug. 1 1, the whole army embarked for 
St. John's (Canada), and the next Saturday came in full 
view of the fort. Here they built breastworks, placed 
their cannon, and after firing for ten days upon the fort 
the French evacuated it on the night of Aug. 28 ; the next 
morning it was taken possession of by our troops. Aug. 
30, they pursued the French in their bateaux to Fort 
Chambly. Here they built some breastworks, and three 
times sent a flag of truce to demand the surrender of 
the fort, which was acceded to at the third time. Hun- 
dreds of the French surrendered to the King's colors and 
authority, and many lent wagons or carts to our troops to 
convey their baggage in. They left Chambly, Sept. 8, pro- 
ceeded to the St. Lawrence River, each place surrendering 
to them as they advanced, and returned to Crown Point by 
way of their outward trip. The season was getting late, 
and the weather cold and stormy, in consequence of which 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 189 

hundreds of the men were taken sick, and many of them 
died. Many had been previously sent to their homes, 
which they never reached. Ten of Capt. Peabody's com- 
pany died while stationed at Crown Point, some of whose 
names are given by our journalist, viz. : John Pemberton, 
died Sept. 1 1 ; Israel Dwinnels, Sept. 26 ; Samuel Rowell, 
Oct. 9 ; and Mrs. Samuel Fisk, Oct. 6. Mrs. Fisk had 
probably gone to the fort to help take care of the sick, 
and fell a victim to the disorder. The winter was close 
upon them ; and, considerable snow having already fallen, 
the soldiers proceeded to Ticonderoga, where they encamped 
over night, and hurried on their homeward way next morn- 
ing. They marched in as direct a line as possible, through 
Vermont and New Hampshire, and reached home just 
before the first of December. 

Timothy Barker was a private in Capt. Edmund Wooer's 
(of Haverhill) company, in Col. Bagley's regiment, serving 
from Nov. 2, 1759, till Jan. 12, 1761. 

The following served as privates in a company com- 
manded by Capt. Gideon Parker of Ipswich : — 

David Jewett .... from May 31, 1761, to Dec. 13, 1761. 

Benjamin Williams . . . " June 9, 1761, to Jan. 6, 1762. 

John Smith " June 10, 1761, to May 27, 1762. 

Daniel Wood . . . . " June 12, 1761, to Jan. 10, 1762. 

John Riddell . . . . " June 20, 1761, to Dec. 13, 1761. 

Ebenezer Staples served in the army from Nov. 2, 1762, 
till June 10, 1763. Philip Bunker also served from Nov. 
2, 1762, till July 18, 1763. 

The officers of the Boxford militia companies in 1762 
were : First Company, Asa Perley, captain ; John Hale, 
lieutenant ; and Thomas Andrews, ensign. Second Com- 
pany, Isaac Adams, captain ; Nathan Barker, lieutenant ; 
and John Chadwick, ensign. 

The wages paid per month at this period were : captain, 



190 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

£9 ; first lieutenant, £$ ; second lieutenant, £,$ ; ser- 
geant, £2 ; corporal, £1 18 s. ; and a private, £1 16 s. 

In 1763 peace was made between the contending nations, 
by which all the possessions of the French, north-west of 
the United British Colonies, came into the hands of Great 
Britain, to whom they still belong. Except the Revolution 
the French War was the most important conflict in which 
the Americans had to deal. "Nearly one-third of the 
effective men," says Minot, " were in military service in 
some mode or other ; and all this zeal was manifested after 
the most depressing disappointment, and a burden of taxes 
which is said to have been so great in the capital as to 
equal two-thirds of the income of the real estate." 

Let us go back to the year 1743, when Rev. Mr. Rogers 
suspended his ministry. The church was again destitute 
of a settled pastor. Meetings were irregular, and there- 
fore very annoying. The parish hired miscellaneous min- 
isters to preach for a few Sundays only, though some 
of them continued here a number of months. Prominent 
among them were Rev. Jacob Bacon, Rev. Aaron Putnam, 
Rev. William Symmes, Rev. Josiah Stearns, Rev. Moses 
Hale of Byfield, Rev. Mr. Thayer, Rev. Mr. Foster, Rev. 
Mr. Upham, Rev. Stephen Minot, Rev. Mr. Robart, Rev. 
Mr. Bass, Rev. Mr. Fisk, Rev. Joseph Swain, Rev. Mr. 
Gardner, Rev. Moses Hale of Haverhill, Rev. Mr. Verney, 
and Rev. Mr. Ainger. 

Tiring of this irregular worship, the parish met together 
Aug. 8, 1752, and voted that Thursday, the 22d inst, 
should be set apart for a day of fasting and prayer, to 
take the advice of the neighboring ministers as to whom 
they should settle in the ministry. The council consisted 
of the following reverend gentlemen : Messrs. Clark, 
Wigglesworth, Phillips, Emerson, Chandler, and dishing. 
The result of this meeting was not adequate to the ideas of 
the people, and so nothing was done. 



' HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 191 

Six years more passed before they did any thing further. 
Nov. 3, 1758, the parish invited Rev. Elizur Holyoke of 
Cambridge to become their pastor, agreeing to give him 
^160 on settlement, and £66 13s. /\.d. with twenty cords 
of wood as salary, annually. About a month later, he 
accepted their call by the following letter : — 

" To the First Church and Parish in Boxford, honoured and be- 
loved : Inasmuch as you have called to the*sacred office of a Gospel 
minister among you, and have voted me such a maintenance as, accord- 
ing to the situation, may be sufficient, together with such an agreeable 
harmony among yourselves in desiring a re-settlement of the ordinances 
of Christ, and your unexpected unanimity, both in church and parish, 
and having taken those previous steps necessary to determine myself 
in such important affairs, I take the present opportunity to express 
my gratitude to you for having such an esteem for me, which I trust 
has moved you to act as you have, and hereby testify my acceptance 
of your invitation with an humble dependence upon Divine grace that 
I may be enabled to act in the station of a minister of Christ among 
you, agreeable to those sacred rules delivered to us from Heaven ; at 
the same time entreating your earnest prayers for me that, in the 
course of my ministrations among you, we may be preserved in that 
unity and charity, with all other Christian graces, necessary to be exer- 
cised between those who stand in so near and sacred a relation to 
each other. And it is my earnest desire and prayer to God that we 
all may be perfect and of one mind, living in peace, that the God of 
Love and Peace may be with us. 

"Elizur Holyoke. 

"Cambridge, Dec. 29, 1758." 

Jan. 8, 1759, the church met, and sent letters to the First 
Church in Boston, Third Church in Dedham, church in 
Wilmington, First Church in Danvers, Second Church in 
Boxford, First Church in Bradford, church in Topsfield, 
Second Church in Rowley (now Georgetown), and church 
in Byfield, desiring their assistance, by their elders and 
messengers, in the ordination of Mr. Holyoke. Jan. 31, 
every thing being ready, the ordination duties were per- 
formed. The exercises began with prayer by Rev. Mr. 



192 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Morrill ; Rev. Mr. dishing then preached from 1 Thess. v. 
12, 13 ; Rev. Mr. Clark prayed, and gave the charge ; Rev. 
Mr. Emerson prayed after the charge was given ; and Rev. 
Mr. Parsons of Bradford gave the " right hand of fellow- 
ship." To the record of the exercises, which was made by 
his own hand, Mr. Holyoke adds, " And thus to one who is 
less than the least of all saints is this grace given, that he 
should preach the unsearchable riches of Christ." 

A church-meeting was held April 2, 1759, at which 
Aaron Kimball and Joseph Hale, jun., were chosen dea- 
cons. A church-covenant was also adopted, which we 
here give verbatim : — 

" We, whose names are hereunto subscribed being members of the 
first church in Boxford, in consideration of the unsettled state we 
have been in for some years past, but now through the goodness of 
God whose tender tnercies are over all His works, are blest in the 
resettlement of the gospel ministry and ordinances ; hoping that in 
some degree we have learned obedience by what we have suffered ; 
would now give thanks for what we enjoy. And first of all we con- 
fess ourselves utterly unworthy of such distinguishing favors, admir- 
ing that free grace which triumphs over so great unworthiness ; with 
an humble reliance on which, sensible we hope of our own inability to 
perform that which is good, do wait on God while we thankfully lay 
hold of his Covenant & choose the things that please Him. — We 
declare our serious belief of the Christian Religion as contained in 
the Sacred scriptures, which we own, and acknowledge, to be the only 
rule of Faith and Practise, heartily resolving to conform ourselves 
unto the precepts of that Holy Religion as long as we live. We give 
up ourselves to God the Father as our Father and receive him as our 
Portion forever. We give up ourselves to God the Son as our Re- 
deemer, the Great-Head of His people in the covenant of grace as our 
Priest, Prophet, and King, to bring us to eternal blessedness. We 
give up ourselves to God the Holy Ghost as our Sanctifier, Guide 
& Comforter to Eternal Glory. — We acknowledge our everlasting & 
indispensable obligations to glorify God by a Sober, Righteous, & 
Godly Life, & very particularly in the Duties of a Chh State depend- 
ing upon his gracious assistance for the faithful Discharge of the 
Duties incumbent on Us. We desire & intend (by ye help of 
Christ's Powerful Grace) to walk togeather as a Chh of the Lord 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 193 

Jesus Christ in the Faith & Order of the Gospel so far as the same 
shall be revealed unto us : — Conscientiously attending the Public 
Worship of God, the Sacraments of the New Testament & the Dis- 
cipline of His Kingdom, & all his holy Institutions in Communion 
One with another ; Watchfully avoiding all sinful Stumbling-Blocks as 
becomes those whom God hath called into so near & holy Relation 
to himself. And with the same Seriousness & Soleminity we do 
also present our Ofspring unto the Lord, purposing & promising by 
the Assistance of his Spirit to do our Duty to them in the methods 
of a religious Education — that they also may be the Lord's. — And all 
this We do repairing to the Blood of the Everlast." 

With the spirit of this covenant, under the ministerial 
charge of Mr. Holyoke, and rejoicing in the again settled 
state of affairs, the church began to revive. During the 
first year of Mr. Holyoke's ministry a small legacy was 
bequeathed to the parish by the will .of Capt. Jeremiah 
Perley, which was applied to paying a portion of Rev. Mr. 
Holyoke's settlement. The church was also newly painted 
of an olive color. 

In October, 1782, Mr. Holyoke asked for an addition to 
the amount of his salary (about £,66), and was granted six 
pounds extra. 

During the years of 1766 and 1767 much of the First 
Church records was taken up by records of meetings held 
to see whether " Tate and Brady's New Version of the 
Psalms " should be introduced and sung by the choir in- 
stead of the " Old Version." It was proposed in December, 
1765, by Mr. Holyoke, who said he had compared the two 
Versions with the Scriptures, and found the New Version 
to be much better than the Old, giving a more clear and 
instructive sense of the Psalms; and that the "Hymns" 
(which formed an appendix to the New Version) were 
suited to Christian worship. After the New Version had 
been sung for six weeks, a lecture was appointed for 
Wednesday evening, Feb. 12, 1766, when a discourse was 
delivered from Col. iii. 16. As the vote was not unani- 



194 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

mous the New Version was not immediately introduced. 
Several meetings were held on account of this matter, 
which were of little consequence. Nov. 5, 1767, Mr. Hol- 
yoke received a petition, signed by six members of the 
church and eighteen of the congregation, signifying their 
desire that " Dr. Watts' Psalms " be sung six sabbaths up- 
on trial, and after that time to take a vote whether they 
should be introduced or not. After they were sung six 
weeks it was put to vote, but no vote could be obtained 
either for or against their introduction. 

" Tate and Brady's Version " continued to be used until 
they were superseded by "Dr. Watts' Psalms" in 1801. 
"Dr. Watts' Hymns" were jointly introduced two years 
later. March 30, 1772, the Second Church voted " to sing 
Dr. Watts' version. of Psalms in the congregation instead 
of the Old Version." Many of the elder members thought, 
no doubt, they would be ungodly if they changed the old- 
time customs. They had become habitually attached to 
the Old Version of the Psalms, from which they had sung 
year after year; and to change for the new-fangled tunes 
would be like putting out the light of the gospel from 
the service of the sabbath. 

The State of Maine was now fast being settled. Many 
settlements were newly instituted, and in a short time 
were thriving villages. Several of these settlers were from 
Boxford, and most of them from this vicinity. In 1766 
several men in this section of Essex County obtained a 
grant of the present town of Bridgton, Me., among whom 
was Richard Peabody of Boxford. Solomon Wood of Box- 
ford was employed by the proprietors to lay out all that 
part of the township lying west of Long Pond, into lots 
of half a mile in length, and one hundred rods in width, 
containing one hundred acres each. Mr. Wood, with five 
assistants, — Stevens, Stacy, Adams, Parker, and Field, — 
commenced this work on the 8th of September, and com- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 195 

pleted it on the 16th of October, 1766. He was accom- 
panied by, and acted under the direction of, a committee of 
the proprietors, consisting of Moody Bridges (from whom 
the town received its name), Richard Peabody, and Col. 
Thomas Poor. The families of Amos Gould, Daniel Perley, 
Reuben Burnham, and David Hale were among the earliest 
settlers. Enoch Perley went there in 1776, married two 
years later, and built the oldest house now standing there, 
and which is in possession of his grandson Hon. John P. 
Perley, who resides upon the old farm. 

The settlement of Harvard, Mass., was partly composed 
of Boxford families. Caleb Brown went there in 1743 ; 
Jonathan Cole, 1746; Ambrose Hale, 1765 (?) ; and other 
families removed there early. 

Amherst, N. H., was also partly composed, originally, of 
Boxford families. Among these were Andrew Bixby, who 
removed thither, 1745, and John Cole about 1764. 

Thomas (son of Joseph) Bixby, with his two nephews, 
Joseph and Abner, sons of Joseph Bixby, removed to, and 
settled in, Hopkinton, Mass., in 1727. Their families were 
prominent in advancing the new settlement. 

Lunenburg, Mass., was settled by Essex-County people. 
Several sons of Samuel Gould of Boxford married and 
settled there about 1730. Abijah Hovey removed thither 
in 1765. 

Brookfield, Mass., was increased in population, about 
1750, by several Boxford families, — the Goulds, Hales, and 
others. 

Rindge, N. H., was first settled about 1752. About 1776 
several of the sons of Capt. Isaac Adams of Boxford settled 
there. Richard Kimball settled there at the same time ; 
and also Jonathan Sherwin, who became the progenitor of 
a worthy posterity. Thomas Ames removed to Rindge 
about 1778. 

Oliver, Israel, and Asa Perley, Francis Peabody, John 



196 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Hale, and others of Boxford, were among the first English 
inhabitants of the Province of New Brunswick. They 
settled on the St. John River about 1765, and began, 
with others of Essex County, the settlement of that now 
populous province. 

From that time to the present, families have continually 
removed from Boxford, and joined the first settlers, and 
helped lay the foundation, of many prosperous towns and 
cities. When the West began to be settled, Ohio received 
the first instalment of our emigrants who have gone to 
reside in the new States ; and from that time forward a few 
have settled each decade upon that fertile prairie-land, and 
reaped the first cultivated crop. And as civilization has 
pushed on, farther and farther, until it has reached the 
Pacific Coast, our emigrants have gone farther west, so 
that we can now literally affirm that our representatives 
can be found from Maine to California. 

Let us return to Rev. Mr. Cushing's ministry in the 
West Parish. Mr. Cushing's health failing him, he was 
not able to preach regularly after the summer of 1763. 
The next winter's services were very much broken, — so 
much so that the parish voted, Sept. 17, 1764, to hire some 
one to preach four sabbaths. The next month a committee 
was chosen to discourse with Mr. dishing about the pul- 
pit's being supplied, to see what measures he proposed to 
adopt as to how the pulpit should be supplied, if he remained 
" weak and unable to carry on the ministry." No conclu- 
sive discussion was held with him until about a year after- 
wards, when he agreed to pay " Tow Thirds of the Cost 
Exclusive of the Horse s Keeping," if the parish hired a 
minister. The parish did not desire to enter into this 
compound way of obtaining their preaching, as Mr. Cushing 
was not likely to recover from his illness ; and therefore, 
May 19, 1766, chose a committee to call on him, and learn 
his mind, if possible, about resigning his pastoral charge. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 197 

After due consideration, he offered to accept of ^30 per 
annum and his firewood, " togather with other Things 
mention^ in a former mefsage," as terms for resigning 
his pastoral office ; which was accepted by the parish. 

Mr. dishing continued to linger until Jan. 25, 1772, 
when he died, being in the sixty-third year of his age, and 
in the thirty-sixth of his ministry. He was son of Rev. 
Caleb dishing of Salisbury, where he was born April 10, 
1709. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John 
Cotton. He graduated at Harvard College, 1729. He 
had two brothers, Caleb, State Counsellor, and Rev. James 
(H. C, 1725) of Plaistow. His grandfather was Hon. John 
Cushing, one of the governor's assistants in 1688. 

Mr. Cushing married Elizabeth Martin of Boston, April 
8, 1740. The result of this union was but one child, John, 
born May 1, 1741, who married Dorothy Bagley, and had 
a number of children. This son was known as Esquire 
Cushing, was a graduate of Harvard College in 1761, and 
a very learned man, being employed on all kinds of com- 
mittees, &c, and filling many offices of trust with honor 
and fidelity. We should judge he was the very counterpart 
of his father, who appears to be a man of extensive learn- 
ing, and a very popular preacher. 

Rev. Mr. Cushing resided across the street from the 
residence of Mr. Wyatt. His son resided on the place 
after his father's death, till he removed to Waterford, Me., 
where he died in 18 15. 

July 1, 1767 ,was appointed as a day on which to hold a 
"fast," previous to calling a minister, which the neighbor- 
ing ministers were invited to attend. But no one was 
invited to preach until Sept. 28, when the parish concurred 
with the church in extending a call to Mr. Edward Perkins 
Sparhawk, who had been occupying the pulpit for about 
two years. Mr. Sparhawk declined the invitation, and 
probably left the pulpit at the same time. Another " fast " 



198 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

was called Oct. 1, 1770, at which the neighboring ministers 
were invited as before. But this also resulted in nothing. 

Mr. John Hale built the late ancient Low mansion about 
1750, and a few years later erected the saw-mill, which has 
been constantly in use ever since. When the "Janes 
Road" was laid out in 1772, we find the mill mentioned as 
" Hale's new mill." About the same time it came into 
the possession of Nathan Low (father of Gen. Solomon 
Low), and was kept in the family until the death of Major 
William Low (son of Gen. Low) in 1870, when it was sold 
to Mr. Israel Herrick, who is engaged in getting out ship- 
timber, as well as various kinds of other lumber, in addition 
to his extensive farming operations. 

Boxford was also supplied with tailors during the period 
of which we are writing. One of these was Joseph Stick- 
ney. Nathan Perley, as we find by some ancient account- 
books, was hired to " cut wescutts." 

When Solomon Wood, who was a man of much learning 
for that time, and a surveyor of note, was elected clerk of 
the East Parish, a new blank-book for records was placed 
in his hands : on one of the fly-leaves we find the following 
"caution" to his successors in that office: — 

"A CAUTION TO CLERKS. 

BY SOLOMON WOOD. 

A Clerk Should be an Honest man 
Not one that is Self willd 
Nither an Ignoramous 
But one that is well Skilld 

Not only for to write a line 
With Letters fair and Clean 
But to indite that Readers may 
Know what his Records mean. 

ye[a] He Should be a Carefull man 
and Not trust his own brain 
that those that trust him Never may 
have Reason to Complain. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 199 

Ah one that Never bribed Can be 
by gold nor what men tell 
For Such as will its plain to me 
Expose them Selves to Hell. 

For my Successors this I Leve 
be faithfull to your trust 
you Shall be' Blest if wholly Right 
if E-re So often Curst. — 

The Curs thats Causleff Shall not Come 
No Shuning whats your Due — 
But merit none and then 111 Say 
a happy man are you. 

By What I Here Exhibit Do 
Successors good I Seek 
That when In> Dead and gone I may 
by this too you yet Speak. — Amen. 
" Boxford, March ye 20* AD 1765. S. W." 

A century ago trouble about the various dams across 
the streams was in continual foment. This was because 
the fish could not go up the streams on account of the 
obstructions. "July 26, 1763, the town voted to choose a 
man to join with other men, chosen by the towns of Tops- 
field, Danvers, Middleton, Wenham, and Reading, to agree 
with the proprietors of the mill-dams in the town of Ips- 
wich that prevents the fish going up the rivers or brooks 
into said towns, — which they otherwise would do if there 
were no dams across Ipswich river, — to open waste-ways 
sufficient for the fish to go up the brooks or rivers." This 
was the beginning of a new office known as the " Fish 
Committee." 

About this time we find a new blacksmith here, — Solo- 
mon Wood. His shop stood near the residence of the late 
Mr. Albert Perley, which house was built and occupied by 
Mr. Wood. Paul Prichard was a house-wright at this time; 
'and he erected and resided in the house now owned and 
occupied by B. S. Barnes, Esq. Prichard's wife was an 



200 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

able doctress, more by nature and experience than by the 
study of medical works, and her skilful treatment was much 
sought. The family removed to New Ipswich, N. H., just 
previous to 1777. A new innholder also presents himself. 
This last is Solomon Dodge, who denominates himself 
"innholder" in 1754. 

A century ago, or more, a potash-manufactory, or leach- 
ery, was located near the residence of Mr. Cornelius Pier- 
sons in the East Parish. The brook that runs south of his 
house was flowed, and by the pond thus formed the ashes 
were leached. Quite a business was carried on. 

In an old memorandum-book, found among some pri- 
vate papers belonging to the Hon. Aaron Wood, the wor- 
thy servant of the town in the last century, is contained 
a list of the taxable property in the town. It is interesting 
in showing to what extent the farmers of the present gene- 
ration in Boxford have decreased in the raising and keep- 
ing of cattle, as well as in other particulars. The list is 
as follows : — 

" What the town of Boxford is set at in the list of valua- 
tion in the several articles, in the year 1768 : Heads ratable, 
209; heads not ratable, 13; houses, 134; shops, 1; tan- 
houses, 1 ; mills, 6|; trading stock, ^30; money at inter- 
est, ^843 13.?. 4-d. ; horses, 132; oxen, 270; cows, 609; 
sheep, 1,200; swine, 113; acres of pasturage, 2,836 — will 
pasture 9602 cows ; tillage, 646 acres — produce, 9,692 bush- 
els ; cider, 1,392 barrels ; acres of mowing-land, 1,880 ; acres 
of upland, 448 ; acres of meadow-land, 1,076!; and salt-hay 
brought into town, 298 tons." 




CHAPTER IX. 
THE REVOLUTION. 

The Stamp Act. — Representative's Instructions. — Re- 
solves. — Carding, Spinning, and Weaving, introduced 
into All Circles. — Further Acts of Great Britain; 
Reception by the Colonists. — English Soldiers in 
Boston. — Duties, except on Tea, repealed. — " Boston 
Massacre." — More Resolves. — "Boston Port Bill." — 
Company of Minute-Men formed. 

L E are about to enter upon a series of scenes 
which have not had their parallel in modern 
history, and which have been acknowledged by 
the whole world to have been, in the result, an 
achievement to be wondered at. The British colonies in 
America united in one strong band, fought the British 
crown, and proclaimed themselves independent of Great 
Britain. That mighty nation was forced to accede to their 
requests, and thus the United States was ushered into exist- 
ence. This struggle, — for liberty which had been denied 
them, — between a few feeble colonies, much debilitated 
by the French and Indian war, and the powerful nation of 
England, demands our closest attention, as the part that 
Boxford took in it was almost unparalleled throughout 
the land. Though the Yankees, being encouraged by the 
aspect of liberty before them, fought with earnest zeal and 
unbounded patriotism, yet we must ascribe the result to 
Him who rules all nations, and setteth the bounds of men's 
habitations. 



202 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

When the Sugar Act was passed by Great Britain, Box- 
ford made no dissent to it, as far as we can learn from the 
town-records ; but when the Stamp Act was passed, Jan. 
10, 1765, without the Colonies being represented, as was 
their legal right, the town met, Oct. 8 (1765), to instruct 
their representative (Hon. Aaron Wood) to join in no 
measure countenancing the Act. His instructions were as 
follows : — 

" We, the free holders and inhabitants of the town of Boxford, 
being met this eighth day of October, 1765, to give you our advice and 
directions respecting the state of the Province at this difficult and 
dangerous conjuncture. We acknowledge it to be our duty to make 
supplications, prayers, and intercessions for the King, and for all men 
that are in authority, that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives, and 
that we should submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the 
Lord's sake, so far as they are consistent with natural Constitutional 
reason, and religion ; and would be always careful to render unto the 
King the things that are his. When there was occasion to make our 
yoke heavy we did cheerfully submit to it ; but when there is no 
greater occasion, to add to our yoke, and to make ' a little finger 
thicker than a man's loins,' is a just reason for a non-compliance. It 
fills us with great concern to find that measures have been adopted by 
the British Ministry, and Acts of Parliament made, which we appre- 
hend press hard upon our natural rights and liberties, and tend 
greatly to distress the trade of the Province, by which we have hereto- 
fore been able to contribute something towards enriching the land of 
our forefathers. But we are more particularly aroused at the last 
Act, called the Stamp Act, by which a very grievous and, we think, 
unconstitutional tax is to be laid upon the colonies. By the Royal 
Charter, granted to our ancestors, the power of making laws for our 
internal government, and of levying taxes, is vested in the General 
Assembly. And, by the same charter, the inhabitants of this Prov- 
ince are entitled to all the rights and privileges of natural, free-born 
subjects of Great Britain. The most essential rights of British sub- 
jects are those of being represented in the same body which exercise 
the power of levying taxes upon them, and of having their property 
tried by juries. These we apprehend are the very pillars of the 
British Constitution, founded on the common rights of mankind. It 
cannot be said that we were in any sense represented in the Court of 
Great Britain when this Act of taxation was made ; and, as we under- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 203 

stand the Act, it admits of our properties being tried in certain contro- 
versies, arising from some internal concerns, by Courts of Admiralty, 
without a jury ; a thing which, we think, we may fully abhor. But, we 
admit, though we had no complaints of this sort, yet we should have 
reason to except against the inequality of these taxes. It cannot be 
denied that the people of this Province have not only settled here 
at the greatest hazard, but have enlarged and defended the British 
Dominion in America at a large expense of blood and treasure. They 
have also exerted themselves in a very distinguishing manner in 
services for their King, by which means they have often been reduced 
to the greatest distress ; and in the late war, more specially, by their 
ready and surprising exertions, they have loaded themselves with a 
debt almost insupportable; and we are well assured that if these 
expensive services (for which very little, if any, advantage hath ever 
accrued to themselves) together with the necessary charges of sup- 
porting and defending his Majesty's Government here, had been 
estimated, the moneys designed to be drawn from us by this Act 
would have appeared greatly beyond our proportion. We look upon 
it as a peculiar hardship that, when the representative body of this 
Province had prepared and sent forward a direct remonstrance against 
those proceedings, while they were depending in the House of Com- 
mons, it failed of admittance there ; and this we esteem the more 
extraordinary inasmuch as being unrepresented. It was the only 
method whereby they could make known their objection to measures 
in the event of which their constituents were to be so deeply inter- 
ested. This Act, if it is carried into execution, we fear will afford a 
precedent for the Parliament to tax us in all future time, and in all 
such ways and measures as they shall judge meet, without our con- 
sent. In short, the duties imposed on us by this Act are so heavy that, 
if complied with, they would bring us and our posterity into slavery 
and bondage as long as the Stamp Act continues and is enforced upon 
us. We, therefore, think it is our indispensable duty, in justice to 
ourselves and posterity, as it is our undoubted privilege, in the most 
open and unreserved, but decent and respectful terms, to declare our 
greatest dissatisfaction with this law. And we think it incumbent 
upon you to, by no means, join in any public measures for counte- 
nancing and assisting in the execution of the same ; but to use the best 
endeavors in the General Assembly to have the inherent, unalienable 
rights of the people of this Province asserted and vindicated, and left 
upon the public records, that our posterity may never have reason to 
charge the present times with the guilt of tamely giving them away. 
And we further instruct you to take particular care that the best econ- 



204 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

omy may be used in expending the public moneys ; and that no pres- 
ent grants may be made to those who serve the government. And 
we, in general, recommend to your care that the moneys of the Prov- 
ince, drawn from the individuals of the people at a time when almost 
every avenue of our trade is obstructed, may not be applied to any 
other purpose, under any pretence of necessary contingent charges, 
or of making up private losses, but what were evidently intended in 
the Act for supplying the Treasury. And, in the managing all other 
things that may come before you in the General Assembly, we wish 
you that wisdom which may be profitable to direct you therein." 

Though the Stamp Act was repealed the following year, 
the mother country voted that she had a right to tax 
America whenever she found it expedient ; which vote 
was, in principle, the same as the Stamp Act. On the 
29th of June, 1767, the King, George III., signed another 
Act, which was even worse than the Stamp Act had been. 

These acts of aggression worked on the minds of the 
colonists so that almost unanimously they agreed not to 
purchase clothing, &c, of the English ; but to use, as much 
as possible, their own manufactures. This was the time 
when nearly every household introduced the old-fashioned 
spinning-wheel and loom, and set about making their own 
cloth. The inhabitants of Boxford, on the 2 2d of March, 
1768, "taking into consideration the deplorable circum- 
stances this country is under respecting the great decay of 
trade, the scarcity of money, and many other things, and 
that it is highly necessary that they should take all prudent 
and legal measures to encourage their own produce and 
manufactures, and discourage the unnecessary use of all 
foreign superfluities, and discountenance all vice, and pro- 
mote and encourage industry, economy, and good morals," 
it was therefore voted that Mr. Thomas Perley, Aaron 
Wood, Esq., and Mr. Luke Hovey, be a committee to pre- 
pare some proper resolves to lay before the town at their 
meeting the next May ; at which time the following resolves 
were accepted by the town : — 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 205 

"Whereas, this Province labor under a heavy debt incurred in the 
late war ; and the inhabitants by these means must be for some time 
subject to very burdensome taxes : and as trade has for some years 
been on the decline and is now particularly under great embarrassment 
and burthened with heavy imposition ; our medium trade thereby 
greatly become very scarce and the balance of trade turned against 
the country ; and this town, in their proportion with other towns, feel 
the sad effects thereof. As it is the duty of every individual to aim 
at the public good of the society whereof he is a member, so it is the 
duty of every incorporated body to aim at the general good of that 
country of which they are a part. And although this town is but 
small, among the many towns in the country, yet it would do every 
thing in its power towards promoting every public good, and discounte- 
nancing all vice. Because of the poverty of the town, and its situa- 
tion, the inhabitants have never been able to go into the use of many 
articles mentioned in the votes of the freeholders and other inhabit- 
ants of the town of Boston, at their meeting at Faneuil-Hall, on 
Wednesday, October 28, 1767; yet they cannot wholly excuse them- 
selves from the use of some of the superfluities mentioned in said 
votes. Therefore, the town would strongly recommend to every 
house-holder and head of a family to endeavor, as much as they possi- 
bly can, to lessen in their families the use of all foreign superfluities, 
and to use such things in the room thereof as shall be of their own 
manufacture, and to do every thing they can to promote industry, 
economy, and frugality, and to discountenance all sorts of vice and 
immorality." 

This resolution was so generally adhered to, that the 
consumption of British merchandise was greatly reduced in 
the Colonies, especially in the large and populous towns. 
In Boston alone, having then about fifteen thousand inhab- 
itants, it was lessened in the year 1764 more than ten 
thousand pounds sterling in value ; that is, about fifty 
thousand dollars. But this, instead of inducing the Eng- 
lish to relax the severity of their measures, only caused 
them to persevere in their oppression. As matters grew 
worse, societies were formed ; of which, probably, the most 
notable were the " Sons of Liberty." They consisted of 
those men who were determined to unite (which they did 



206 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

by a kind of national compact) in resisting parliamentary 
oppression. Other societies were formed, of quite a differ- 
ent kind. These embraced persons of all ages, and of both 
sexes, who were more willing to do without luxuries, and 
live by their own industry, than to depend on Great 
Britain. 

Instead of wearing imported cloth, the wealthy people 
were soon seen in dresses of their own manufacture ; and, 
for fear there might not be wool enough for this purpose, 
the use of sheep for food was discouraged. The most 
fashionable people could now card, spin, and weave their 
own cloth, and deny themselves the use of all foreign luxu- 
ries. Close economy became the order of the day. 

In 1767 a law was passed by Great Britain, which 
obliged the several American legislatures to provide quar- 
ters for a part of the British troops, and furnish them with 
necessaries. Still more than this : an Act passed Parlia- 
ment, establishing a custom-house and board of commis- 
sioners in America. The duties were to commence Nov. 
20 ; and early in that month three of the commissioners 
arrived at Boston. This inflamed the Colonists more than 
ever. The consequences were resolves, petitions, and 
remonstrances, from all parts of the country. A general 
petition of the Colonies on the subject was sent to the king, 
which greatly offended the British Administration, who, in 
their turn, sent a circular to the Colonies, demanding that 
they should retrace the steps they had taken, and crush 
in the bud the rising propensity among them to act in 
concert ; but all to no purpose. 

The Colonies generally agreed, as we have before 
affirmed, that they would not allow any kind of goods or 
merchandise to be imported from Great Britain for one 
year, except a few articles which they specified ; nor to 
purchase British articles of the same kind from other colo- 
nies or nations who had procured them from England. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 207 

As time passed, and the indignation of the people in- 
creased, the board of commissioners found it harder and 
harder to perform their duties. As it was asserted by 
England, to help the commissioners prosecute their affairs, 
two regiments of British troops were sent across the At- 
lantic, and stationed in Boston. This act created a more 
general and inflamed indignation throughout the Colonies 
than any previous vote of the Crown. 

In the early part of 1770, an Act was passed by the 
British Parliament for repealing all the duties which caused 
so much complaint, except the duty on tea. 

Though the British soldiers and the people of Boston 
were continually insulting each other, there was no open 
quarrel until the 5th of March, 1770, when a mob gathered, 
and, proceeding to the custom-house, attacked the sentinel. 
He called to his aid the remainder of the guard, who 
marched out with guns loaded ; and, after being bullied by 
the mob, and stumped to fire, fired upon them, killing three 
persons, and wounding several more. The governor at last 
persuaded the mob to disperse, and go quietly to their 
homes. The next morning the troops were ordered off to 
Castle William, one of the city fortifications. 

In the following May, Boxford expressed its mind, regard- 
ing the train of events through which we have just been 
leading our readers, in the following terms. It is very 
expressive of the patriotism that the town sustained all 
through the Revolution. 

" At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the town 
of Boxford, legally assembled, on Thursday, 24th of May, A.D. 1770: 
the town taking into their most serious consideration the distressing 
circumstances this people are reduced to by means of the hard and 
oppressive acts imposing duties on sundry articles usually imported 
here from Great Britain, which, till of late, was unknown to us ; and 
the sending of troops here to force us to comply with the same, under 
pretence of aiding the civil magistrates, and their most inhuman and 
barbarous actions since their being quartered in the town of Boston in 



208 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

abusing, wounding, and killing some of the inhabitants thereof, con- 
trary to the laws of God and man ; and the unparalleled patience and 
prudence of the inhabitants of the said town of Boston, being very 
desirous of doing all in their power to try and preserve their liberty ; 
and sensible that the virtuous resolutions of the merchants and 
traders, not to import goods and merchandise from Great Britain, 
ought to be applauded by all, 

" Therefore, Voted, That the quartering of troops in this Province 
in a time of profound peace, under pretence of aiding the civil magis- 
trate, when justice, until they were quartered here, was so impartially 
administered, is a great grievance ; and that their so barbarously 
shedding innocent blood, with their other cruelties committed on the 
first of March last, in the town of Boston, is alarming and shocking to 
the last degree ; and that the patience and prudence of the inhabit- 
ants of the town of Boston, in consequence of that horrid and 
bloody scene, ought always to be remembered and spoken of to their 
praise. 

" Secondly, Voted, That they will, to their utmost, encourage the 
produce and manufacture of all such articles as have formerly been 
imported from Great Britain and used among them. 

" Thirdly, Voted, That they will not use any foreign tea, nor suffer 
it to be used in their families (cases of sickness excepted), until the 
duty upon it shall be wholly taken off, — the duty on which has so 
largely contributed towards the support of such a ... * set of men. 

" Fourthly, Voted, That they will not by any means whatever, 
knowingly, have any sort of trade or dealings with those detestable 
persons who have preferred their own little interest to the good of 
the country in contriving to import goods contrary to the non-importa- 
tion agreement of the merchants and traders on the Continent; and 
that whosoever shall be found to trade with them, knowingly, shall be 
dee Died unworthy to hold any office, or place of trust, in the town 
forever hereafter. 1 '' 

We have never seen, in plainness of speech, a set of 
resolves so becoming a " Son of Liberty," as were these 
passed by Boxford. They expressed their total abhorrence 
of those persons who claimed to be friends of the British 
municipality, and who upheld the doings of the British 

* Hon. Aaron Wood, who was town-clerk when these resolves were 
passed, being a moral man, left this word out and inserted a blank in its 
stead. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 20Q 

troops, in a manner perhaps too forcible. As time passed 
the feeling against Great Britain increased, especially in 
Boston and the immediate vicinity ; and the people could 
not restrain themselves from giving expression to their 
feelings as the repulsive acts of the mother country were 
constantly bearing down upon them harder and harder. 

The people of Boston met on the 20th of November, 
1772, prepared a set of resolves, stating the rights of the 
Province, and setting forth the infringements thereon, had 
them printed in a pamphlet, and sent them to each town 
in the Province, desiring the people to express their opinion 
in the matter, and to pass such votes and resolves thereon 
as they should judge proper. A committee was chosen 
to conduct the correspondence. In due time Boxford 
received one of the pamphlets, accompanied by a letter; 
whereupon a town-meeting was appointed Jan. 21, 1773, 
but was adjourned until the 4th of the following month, 
when the inhabitants assembled, and, after the letter and 
pamphlet were "publicly read and duly considered," it was 
voted "that the thanks of the town be offered to that 
respectable community ; not only for their own unalterable 
firmness and heroic exertions in the cause of liberty, but 
also for the care and vigilance they have exercised in rous- 
ing up their brethren through the Province to consider of 
some proper methods which may be taken to avert the 
many unconstitutional innovations that have been and still 
are imposing upon us. We judge it unnecessary to particu- 
larize the many grievances we labor under, or to enumerate 
the many bold and glaring attempts offered by the British 
Parliament and Ministry to deprive us of our natural 
rights and charter privileges ; but concur with the results 
of a meeting of the town of Boston, held on the 20th of 
November last, both in stating the rights of the Province, 
and in setting forth the infringements thereon, they being 
agreeable to our sentiments, which we think not only our 



2IO HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

indispensable duty to show at this critical time, but also 
that it is the duty of every incorporated town throughout 
this Province, although ever so small. On these principles 
we have acted, knowing ourselves to be enrolled in the 
lower class of these bodies ; yet are desirous to exert our 
utmost abilities in all legal and Constitutional methods to 
break, if possible, the iron band of oppression, and prevent 
the zvelding of the last link in our chain of impending 
slavery." It was voted to transmit a copy of these resolu- 
tions to Boston. 

Again, on the 27th of December following, eleven days 
after the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor, the 
town assembled to consider a letter and other papers 
which they had received from Boston, relating to the 
infringements and violation of their rights, by the East 
India Company's endeavoring to force upon the Colonies 
large quantities of tea, subject to a duty from them, which 
they had but recently been privileged to do by an express 
Act of Parliament. After " having taken under our delib- 
erate consideration the many and grievous acts of the 
British Parliament to deprive us of our Charter rights and 
privileges, but more alarmed at the late Act of the British 
Parliament, passed in the last sessions of Parliament, where- 
by the East India Company in London are empowered to 
export their teas on their own account to the British Plan- 
tation in America, and to expose the same for sale, subject 
to a duty payable in America, to be collected by a set of 
■men worse than Egyptian taskmasters, which, if submitted 
to, we fear will prove fatal to the Colonies. Therefore, 
it is the resolution of this town to do all that is in their 
pozver, in a lawful way, to heave off this yoke of slavery, 
and to unite with their breth?-en of the tozvu of Boston, and 
the other towns in the Province, to defend our rights and 
Charter privileges, not only with our estates but with our 
lives; considering how dear those rights and privileges 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 211 

were purchased for us by our forefathers at the expense 
of their own blood and treasure. Whereas some of the 
merchants of Boston, to their shame, and contrary to their 
agreement, have imported teas subject to a duty payable 
here : although it is but a small quantity yet we look upon 
all such persons who import teas upon any pretence what- 
soever, subject to the payment of a duty in America, as, 
in an eminent degree, enemies to their country, and ought 
to be treated with contempt ; and the town return their 
hearty thanks to the committee of correspondence of the 
town of Boston, and to the inhabitants of said town, for the 
heroic exertions of themselves in the defence of all our 
rights and privileges against such persons as have sought 
to enslave us." It was voted to send a copy of these 
resolves to Boston. 

The next act of aggression of Great Britain was the 
" Boston Port Bill," which would not allow any goods to be 
landed in Boston, thus placing it in a blockade. But the 
Americans were bound to be at the head ; for no sooner 
had this Act been passed than a League and Covenant, as 
it was called, — an agreement not to trade any more with 
England, — was signed by multitudes. 

In the progress of the year 1774, the governor of Mas- 
sachusetts, who was a favorite of the King, began to for- 
tify Boston Neck; this being done, he sent out troops, 
and seized upon the powder-magazine at Charlestown. In 
Portsmouth, N. H., the Colonists seized upon the fort, 
though garrisoned with British troops, and carried off every 
gun and every pound of powder. The people of Newport, 
R.I., also took possession of forty pieces of cannon in the 
same way. Many will remember the stratagem the Colo- 
nists used to remove their stores of munitions of war from 
Boston, where they were deposited, into the country. 
Thus matters went on. The British took all the cannon 
and stores of ammunition that they heard of in the vicinity, 



I 

212 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

while the Colonists were gathering every thing that would 
help them in the tempest which they foresaw must soon 
break upon their monotonous lives. The Provincial Con- 
gress had given out orders to have the whole Province 
armed, and that twenty thousand soldiers should keep 
themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. 
And, as soon as Boxford received the order, nearly every 
man and boy that was old enough and able to carry a gun, 
who was not obliged by law to train, and others, separated 
themselves from their companies, making the number of 
fifty-two in all, and enlisted as minute-men. There were, 
therefore, now three companies, — two of the regular mi- 
litia, and one of the minute-men, — all of which contained 
one hundred and forty-two soldiers. One hundred and. 
forty-two men out of a population of only about nine hun- 
dred ! Think of the spirit which animated the breasts of 
our inhabitants at this early period in the history of the 
Revolution, when the first gun had not been fired, and, as 
yet, almost nothing had been done. But they had been 
cautiously watching the movements of the British in Bos- 
ton ; and as they watched they grew more confident that 
an open affray would soon take place ; and their watching 
was not in vain. 

No orator has so eloquently described the interest that 
was manifested when the British began their attacks, as 
these simple figures. When we consider that the soldiers 
were not called out by any special order of authority ; that 
their patriotic spirit had not been stirred by the appeals of 
the press, or by the eloquence of orators whose hearts were 
burning with the love of liberty and the hatred of oppres- 
sion ; that they only knew from the signal-guns, and the 
fires on the neighboring hills, that the British were in 
motion ; and that nearly, if not quite, every able-bodied 
man in town, must, of his own accord, have left the work 
upon which he was engaged, and shouldered his musket, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 213 

and marched, at a moment's warning, to meet the foe, — 
we cannot help giving them a large place in our history. 
With this spirit they entered the conflict of seven years' 
duration ; and may the gallantry and honest-heartedness 
that they ever manifested in the service of their country 
be recorded to their praise ! 

As a proof of the belief that the minute-men would soon 
be needed, we find that the town voted, March 14 (1775), 
" that the minute-men shall train one half day in a week, 
for four weeks after this week is ended." The town also 
voted, on the 5th of the preceding January, to give some- 
thing to those soldiers that would arm, equip, and hold 
themselves in readiness to march in any emergency in 
defence of the Province. How many did this, we have 
already seen ; their names may be found in the following 
chapter. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE REVOLUTION— Concluded. 

Battle of Lexington. — Muster-Rolls. — Captains Cushing, 
Gould, and Perley. — Battle of Bunker-Hill. — Assist- 
ance sent to Gloucester. — Washington chosen Com- 
mander-in-Chief. — Manufacture of Gunpowder. — Con- 
currence of the Town in declaring Independence. — 
Rolls. — Evacuation of the British from Boston. — In- 
trenching Tools. — The Hessians. — Expedition against 
the Six Nations. — Events of 1777. — Soldiers hired. — 
Anti-Tory Sentiment. — Events of 1778-1781. — Soldiers. — 
Henry Perley. — The Army disbanded. 

E cannot longer procrastinate in coming to the 
opening conflicts of the Revolution. The Brit- 
ish troops were already committing depredations 
in the surrounding country ; and the militia 
everywhere were constantly engaged in training themselves 
for real service. Excitement, such as has been known in 
few periods of the history of our country, prevailed wher- 
ever the people were congregated, and the condition of 
affairs was the theme of the hour. 

Late in the evening of April 18, 1775, Gov. Gage sent 
out eight hundred of the British troops to destroy some 
military stores at Lexington and Concord, — about four- 
teen miles north-west of Boston. But, in spite of the late- 
ness of the hour and the secrecy of their movements, 
they were discovered, and messengers, like Paul Revere,, 
quickly carried the news to the neighboring towns. Many 
214 




HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 215 

of the farmers in Boxford had already begun their daily 
labor on this beautiful spring morning, when they heard 
the alarm-gun fired at Andover ; and, unhitching the oxen, 
they left their plough in the furrow. Hurrying to their 
rendezvous, the three companies began their march to Lex- 
ington, where, they were informed, the fighting was going 
on. Hardly daylight when they started, the sun arose in 
all the glory of a sunrise in spring ; 

" And, as they neared Lexington town, 
The hands pointing six on the clock, 
They heard the bleating of the flock, 
And the twitter of birds among the trees, 
And felt the breath of the morning breeze 
Blowing over the meadows brown." 

But they arrived as the dead were being laid out, — too 
late to participate in the fight at either Lexington or Con- 
cord. But their long march was not to be for nothing, and 
they fell in with the provincials, before whom the British 
were retreating back to Boston ; 

" . . . . And gave them ball for ball, 
From behind each fence and barnyard wall, 
Chasing the red-coats down the lane, 
Then crossing the field to emerge again 
Under the trees at the turn of the road, 
And only pausing to fire and load." , 

They pursued the British back to Boston, which was 
reached about sunset, and took up their position with the 
rest of the militia in Cambridge, as we find by the rolls 
that they went from forty to sixty-five miles, and were in 
the service from four days to a week. Probably some of 
them could not conveniently be away for so long a time 
when there were so few men remaining at home. We give 
below verbatim copies of the rolls of the two companies 
of militia and the company of minute-men, each of which 
marched on the alarm of April 19, 1775. 



2l6 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



These rolls have been carefully transcribed from the 
orio-inals in the State archives of Massachusetts. 



" A muster roll of the Compy wider the Command of Cap* 
John Cushing, in Col Sam 1 Johnson s Reg* of Militia 
which march' d on the Alarm Apr 1 ic/ 7 ' 1775." [Mass. 
Archives, "Lexington Alarm," Vol. XI., p. 259.] 



Names. 


Quality. 


3 
6 

II 

a* 

6* 


•0 


c 

ii 

T3 Ul 


Wages due to 
ea: man. 


Total of travel 
& Wages. 






c 


< 


£* 










John Cushing . . . 


Cap 1 


62 


5/2 


6 


£*■■ 


5- 


8/2 


£l„ IO ..IO/2 


Jon a Foster 




U 


63 


5/3 


6 


0.. 


17- 


1/2 


I.. 2.. 4/2 


Amos Spafford 




Ens n 


24 


2/. 


1 


0. 


2. 


6 


0.. 4.. 6 


Abr a Tyler 




Serj 1 


64 


5/4 


5 


0. 


8. 


6/2 


0.. 13.. 10/2 


Moses Tyler 




d? 


24 


2/. 


1 


0. 


1 . 


8/2 


0.. 3.. 8/2 


Lemuel Wood . 




d? 


60 


5/- 


4 


0.. 


6. 


10 


0.. 11 .. 10 


Sammuel Runnels 




Drum r 


62 


5/ 2 


3 


0.. 


4- 


8/2 


0.. 9.. 10/2 


Tho s Adams . 




Priv a 


64 


5/4 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 5/2 


Daniel Adams . 




d? 


64 


5/4 


4 


0. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. n .. 0/2 


John Chadwick 




d? 


6l 


5/i 


6 


0. 


8. 


6 


0.. 13.. 7 


Gilbert Chadwick 




d? 


6l 


5/ 1 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0..12.. 2/2 


Tho 9 Chadwick 




d? 


60 


5/- 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 1/2 


Isaac Chadwick 




d? 


60 


5/- 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 1/2 


Enos Carlton . 




d? 


63 


5/3 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 4/2 


Joseph Carlton 




d? 


24 


2/. 


1 


0.. 


1 . 


5 


0.. 3.. 5 


Eph" 1 Foster . 




d? 


64 


5/4 


4 


.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 11 .. 0/2 


John Hovey 




d° 


54 


4/6 


4 


0.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 10.. 2/2 


Luke Hovey 




d? 


63 


5/3 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 4/2 


David Kimball 




d? 


63 


5/3 


4 


0.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 10.. 11/2 


Pelatiah Lakeman 




d? 


64 


5/4 


6 


0.. 


8. 


6 


0.. 13.. 10 


W" Porter . . 




d? 


60 


5/- 


4 


0.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 10.. 8/2 


Sam 1 Porter 




d? 


62 


5/2 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 3/2 


Benj a Porter . 




do 


62 


5/2 


5 


0.. 


7- 


r/2 


0.. 12.. 3/2 


Tyler Porter 




d? 


62 


5/2 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 3/2 


Nath 1 Peabody 




d<> 


62 


5/2 


3 


0.. 


4- 


3 


0.. 9.. 5 


John Pearl 




do 


60 


5/- 


4 


0.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 10.. 8/2 


Steph" Spafford 




d» 


64 


5/4 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 5/2 


Parker Spafford 




d° 


64 


5/4 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 5/2 


Parker Tyler . 




d? 


59 


4/1 1 


4 


0.. 


5- 


8/2 


0.. 10.. 7/2 


Jon a Tyler . . 




d? 


62 


5/2 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 3/2 


John Tyler . . 




d? 


62 


5/2 


5 


0.. 


7- 


1/2 


0.. 12.. 3/2 


Reuben Gragg . 




d? 


24 


2/- 


1 


.. 


1 .. 


5 


0.. 3- 5 


W" Foster . . . 




d? 


61 


5/i 


2 


0.. 




10 


0.. 7.. 11 






£19- 4- i/3* 



* This roll was made up Jan. 26, 1776. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



217 



"A Muster roll of the Company under tlie Command of 
Cap 1 Jacob Gould in Col" Samuel Johnson s Regiment 
of Militia wliicli marched on the alarm April 19, 1775." 
[Mass. Archives, "Lexington Alarm," Vol. XII., p. 101.] 







3 

O . -c 


G 

S 8* 










V M . 


a E 






Names. 


Quality. 


mile! 

lion: 

mile 




Wages due to 
ea: man. 


Total of travel 
& Wages. 






6* 


Id 


"0 Z> 










s 


< 















s. d. 








Jacob Gould . . . 


Cap. 


65 


5-5 


6 


£1 . 6.6 


;£l • II • II 


John Dorman . 




lieu. 


65 


5 


5 


6 


17 . 1 


I . 2 


. 6 


Jed. Stickne 




Ens. 


57 


4 


9 


4 


10 . 3 


15 


. 


Asa Peabody . 




Serj. 


65 


5 


■5 


6 


10 . 


15 


• 5 


John Curtis . . 




dV 


65 


5 


5 


6 


10 . 


15 


• 5 


Israel Perley . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


6 . 8 


II 


• 5 


Amos Perley . 




Cop. 


65 


5 


•5 


6 


9 • 4 


14 


• 9 


Sam Kimball . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


9 • 4 


14 


• 9 


Jacob Perley . 




d? 


6 


5 


•5 


6 


9 • 4 


14 


• 9 


Kill am 




Priv. 


65 


5 


•5 


6 


9 • 4 


14 


• 9 


Abner Curtis . 




d? 


65 


5 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




Jacob Eyies 




d? 


65 


5 


•5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




David Foster . 




d? 


65 


s 


• 5 


6 


8. 6 


13 




Jacob Andrews 




d? 


65 


s 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




SolP Gould . . 




d° 


65 


5 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


!3 




Asa Kimball 




d? 


65 


5 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Dan Kimball . 




d? 


65 


5 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


x 3 




Eph rm Mathews 




d? 


65 


5 


• 5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




Moses Perley, jr. 




d? 


65 


5 


•5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Enoch Perley . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Aaron Perley . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Daniel Perley . 




dV 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Thomas Perley, jr 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Simeon Stiles . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




James Andrews 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




\V m Hale . . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




W m Eyles . . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Joseph Hobbs . 




d° 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




Tho 9 Dwinnel, jr. 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Rich d Foster . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


13 




Steph Simons . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


8 . 6 


J 3 




Jos. Mathews . 




do 


65 


5 


5 


5 


7 • 1 


12 


6 


Jos. Peabody, jr. 




do 


65 


5 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 


6 


John Killam 




d? 


65 


S 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 


6 


lienj. Dwinnel . . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 


6 


Jon a Peabody . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


7 ■ 1 


12 


6 


Jacob Cumings 




d° 


65 


5 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 . 


6 


Nat Smith . . . 




d? 


65 


5 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 . 


6 


Jacob Smith 




d? 


65 


5- 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 . 


6 


An d Gould . . . 




d? 


65 


5- 


5 


6 


7 • 1 


12 . 


6 



218 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 







3 


-, 


e 
E.8 








Names. 


Quality. 


£ E 
:S 


©.•3 

» E 


2 p 
>> c 


Wages due to 
ea: man. 


Total of travel 
& Wages. 






6* 


1 A ■§ « 












c 


< 


. re 
° S 








Joshua Rea .... 


Priv. 


57 


4-9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Elijah Dwinnel 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


John Willett . 




d u 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Nathan Low 




d° 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Moses Putnam . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


David Hale. . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


5 


7 


i 


II . io 


Broadstreet Tyler 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Rich' 1 peabody 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Moses Perley . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. s 


Eben Curtis 




&.' 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Nat. Hale . . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


John Stiles . . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


4 


5 


8 


io. 5 


Tho. perley . . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


3 


4 


3 


9. 


John Merrick . 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


3 


4 


3 


9. 


And" Peabody. 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


3 


4 


3 


9. 


Jere. Foster, jr. 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


3 


4 


3 


9. 


W m Cummings 




d? 


57 


4 


9 


3 


4 


3 


9. 










£37 ■ 9 • T / 2 * 



" Muster Roll of the Minitte Men under the command of 

Cap William Pearley in Col James Fryes Regiment 

from the \cf h April 1775 to the 25 th of said April!' 

[Mass. Archives, " Lexington Alarm," Vol. XIII., p. 44.] 











■d 






Names. 


time in 
Service. 


Whole Am' 


.2 i> 1 per m. 


total. 




W m Perley, Capt 


7 dys 


£l ■ IO 


O 


40 1 3 • 4 


£l • 13 


4 


John Robinson, Lt. . 




7 dys 


1 . 10 


O 


40 I 3 


4 


1 • r 3 


4 


Benj. Perley " 




7 dys 


17 


6 


40 3 


4 


1 . 


10 


Jacob Hazen, Serj. 




7 dys 


12 





40 ! 3 


4 


15 


4 


Eben Peabody " 




7 dys 


12 





40 


3 


4 


J 5 


4 


Asa Smith " 




7 dys 


I 2 





40 


3 


4 


T 5 


4 


John Towns " 




7 dys 


12 





40 


3 


4 


J 5 


4 


Moses Kimball, Corp 




7 dys 


I I 





"40 


3 


4 


14 


4 


Ivory Hovey " . 




7 dys 


I I 





40 


3 


4 


14 


4 


And w Peabody " . 




7 dys 


I I 





40 


3 


4 


14 


4 


Allen Perley " . 




7 dys 


II 





40 


3 


4 


14 


4 


Benj. Foster, Drum. . 




7 dys 


II 





40 


3 


4 


14 


4 


David Sessions, fifer . 




7 dys 


II 





40 


3 


4 


14 


4 



* This roll was made up Dec. 12, 1775 ; pay allowed Feb. 10, 1776. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



219 











•a 








Names. 


time in 
Service. 


Whole Am' 


'-5 > 


per m. 


total. 




Robert Andrews, Private . 


7 dys 


IO 





40 


3-4 


J 3 


4 


Joshua Andrews " 


7 dys 


IO 





40 


3 


4 


*3 


4 


Daniel Nurss " 


7 dys 


IO 





40 


3 


4 


'3 


4 


Sam. Brown " 


7 dys 


IO 





40 


3 


4 


13 

3 


4 


Rufus Burnham " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


4 


Elijah Cole " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Sam. Cole " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Dan Cole " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Moses Carlton " 


7 d Y s 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Tho s Dwinnel " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Job Davis * " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Steph Emery " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Dudley Foster " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Elijah Gould " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Steph. Gould " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


! 3 


4 


Asahel Goodridge " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Allen Goodridge " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


x 3 


4 


Tho s Goodridge " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Edm. Herrick " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Nat Hale (?) 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


*3 


4 


Enoch Kimball " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Steph Merrill " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Stephen Perley " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


'3 


4 


Moses Porter " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Dan Peabody " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


I 3 


4 


Robert Perkins " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


1 3 


4 


Jed. Peabody " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


*3 


4 


Jos. Peabody " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


J 3 


4 


Jerem. Robinson " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


■1 


13 


4 


Joshua Rea " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Ezra Stiles " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Joseph Simons " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


1 


*3 


4 


John Town, jr. " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


'3 


4 


Jon a Wood " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


'3 


4 


Moses Wood " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Eliph Wood " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


1 


J 3 


4 


John Wilet (?) 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


Aaron Woodbury " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 


James Boynton " 


7 dys 


10 





40 


3 


4 


13 


4 






^37 • 3 


lot 



The first of the three rolls above given is that of the 
company of the regular militia of the West Parish, under 
the command of John Cushing, and containing thirty-three 

* He was allowed by the town Aug. 20, 1782, for services in 1775, £33 s. 
t This roll was made up Jan. 1, 1776; pay allowed Feb. 23, 1776. 



220 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

men. The second roll is that of the regular militia com- 
pany in the East Parish, under command of Jacob Gould, 
and numbering fifty-seven men. The two companies 
which comprised the Boxford militia were in Col. Samuel 
Johnson's regiment. The third roll which we have given 
is that of the Boxford minute-men, numbering fifty-two in 
all, which had formed themselves into a company Feb. 16, 
1775, in obedience to the command of the Province. 

Of these three captains it is desirable that more should 
be said : — 

Capt. John Cushing was son of Rev. John dishing of 
Boxford, and was born here May I, 1741. He graduated 
at Harvard College in 1761 ; and the positions held by 
Mr. Cushing show that his knowledge was not meagre, and 
that he was able and faithful in the prosecution of all 
business that was confided to his trust. He was known 
as " Esquire " Cushing. He married Dorothy Bagley, by 
whom he had Elizabeth, born 1767, Dorothy, John, Jona- 
than, and Edward. In 1779 (?) he removed to Waterford, 
Me., where he died in 181 5. 

Capt. Jacob Gould was born in Topsfield, 6 Feb., 
1728-29, and was son of John and Phebe (Towne) Gould. 
He married Elizabeth Towne of his native place, 27 Oct., 
175 1, and settled on the farm in Boxford now owned by 
Mr. McLaughlin. Manifesting considerable interest in 
public affairs, a few years before the Revolution he was 
chosen captain of the East Parish company of militia, and 
marched with them under his command to the battle of 
Lexington. After having reared a large family, and living 
to a good old age, he bid farewell to the scenes of time in 
1809, at the age of eighty years. Jeremiah Perley, Ancill 
Dorman, Esq., and the late Nathaniel Smith, natives and 
residents of Boxford, are grandsons of the old captain. 

Capt. William Perley was born in Boxford, 1 1 Feb., 
1735, and was son of Capt. Francis Perley. His mother 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 221 

was Hulclah, sister of Gen. Israel Putnam, frbm whom 
William probably received his patriotic impulses. March 
26, 1 76 1, he married Sarah Clark of Topsfield, erected the 
present almshouse, and settled down to a yeoman's life. 
Ten children — Rev. Humphrey C. being the eldest, and 
thirteen years of age — had already shared their parents' 
care, when the father was chosen by the minute-men to be 
their captain. He led them to the battle of Lexington, 
and in the battle of Bunker-Hill several of his command 
were left dead upon the field. Pursuing the cause of free- 
dom with an earnest, interested zeal, he lived for many 
years to enjoy its worth, and died March 29, 181 2, at the 
age of seventy-seven years. He was the ancestor of an 
interesting and worthy posterity, who have now become 
scattered all over the Union, and some of whom have 
become distinguished as physicians, merchants, and public 
officers. 

The minute-men were encamped in the neighborhood of 
Boston, with the army of twenty thousand minute-men who 
were stationed there. They encamped around Boston in a 
semicircle, as if to shut up the town on every side but the 
water. 

May 18, 1775, an order was given to Nathan Andrews, 
of ;£io 14 J - , yd., for finding twenty-one blankets for the 
"solgers." May 23, 1775, the town gave an order to Capt. 
William Perley of £16, to find blankets for his company. 

Some time in May, Howe, Clinton, and Burgoyne, three 
British generals, arrived in Boston with a re-enforcement of 
British troops. Gov. Gage now offered a pardon to all the 
rebels, as he still called them, except John Hancock and 
Samuel Adams, — who had been very active in rousing the 
people to resistance, — if they would lay down their arms, 
and be peaceable subjects. But, as no listening ear could 
be found among the patriots, he actively prepared for war. 

There now began to be skirmishing between the two 



222 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

armies almost every day. The Americans concluded at 
length to fortify Dorchester Neck (now South Boston) and 
also Bunker Hill in Charlestown. In order to effect the 
latter purpose, about one thousand men (including our Box- 
ford company of minute-men, under the command of Capt. 
William Perley), under the command of Col. Prescott, about 
nine o'clock in the evening of June 16, 1775, following the 
glimmer of dark-lanterns, crossed the Neck. Here they 
overtook several wagons loaded with intrenching-tools, the 
sight of which first apprised the inferior officers and 
privates of the design of their darksome march. A con- 
troversy arose as to the proper hill to be fortified. Bunker 
Hill — the only one on the peninsula then designated by 
a name — was explicitly mentioned in the order; but the 
remoteness of that elevation from Boston induced them, in 
the face of their instructions, to move farther on to the 
eminence afterwards known as Breed's Hill, though not so 
high as Bunker Hill by fifty feet. Owing to the dispute, 
the sward was not broken till near midnight. The spades 
were struck, and the men toiled unceasingly till the first 
rays of the sun shone over the sparkling water, revealing 
to the astonished Britons the ominous defences reared, 
while the familiar cry, " All's well ! " had lulled them to 
sleep. None but the farmers from the hillsides of the 
rock-bound coast of New England could have plied the 
spade with such unceasing activity. But it was something 
more than their well-developed muscles : it was — what ? 
They could glance down from the walls of the redoubt into 
the town of Boston, and see the hated enemy, and, out in 
the harbor, their frigates. This sight was what stimu- 
lated them to action, and strengthened every nerve in their 
body. In those few hours, from midnight to dawn, the 
work had been so vigorously pushed that a strong redoubt 
had been thrown up, flanked on the left by a breastwork 
extending down the hill in a northerly direction, and termi- 
nating south of an impassable slough. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 223 

They kept at work enlarging their walls till near noon, 
while all the time the British were incessantly pouring in 
cannon-balls and bomb-shells from their ships and the 
battery which they had established on Copp's Hill ; and, 
strange to relate, had lost all this while but a single man. 
Lord Howe, finding he could not dislodge them in this 
manner, planned an attack. The Americans, in the mean 
time, had been re-enforced by about five hundred soldiers, 
and Generals Warren, Pomeroy, and Putnam. 

The British, having collected about three thousand men, 
marched on towards the narrow neck of land, which is the 
only entrance to the peninsula, and which was defended 
by Col. Thomas Knowlton's (see his biography) and Col. 
Stark's companies, who were stationed behind a breast- 
work which they had formed of fence-rails and new-mown 
hay. About three o'clock in the afternoon, the right Brit- 
ish wing, under command of Lord Howe, began to ascend 
the hill in front of the breastwork. Lord Howe looked 
with contempt upon the breastwork of hay, and the back- 
woodsmen behind it. He fully expected that its defenders 
would fly in dismay at the first shot, leaving him free to 
attack the main body in flank, while Gen. Pigot carried the 
works in front. But he sadly mistook the reception which 
awaited him. The column came marching on as if to cer- 
tain victory. Reserving their fire until the enemy came 
within six or eight rods, the provincials poured upon them 
incessant volleys. The enemy fell by scores at every 
volley, till hundreds lay in heaps upon the earth. Yet, as 
huge gaps were opened, others stepped bravely forward to 
fill the vacant places, and share the same fate. 

The Boxford company was in the redoubt, firing at Gen. 
Pigot's troops, who were storming the breastwork in front. 
A new plan was adopted by the British : they determined 
to take it in flank, in the open space between the redoubt 
and the breastwork of hay. Several cannon were brought, 



224 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and placed in position to enfilade the breastworks in the 
rear. But let one of the participants of that battle give 
his own account of this new and final movement :* 

" Behold the proud Briton, dressed out in all the pride 
and pomp of military show, advancing with firm step and 
square front on to gory conquest ; with their thousands of 
bristling bayonets glittering in the clear shining of a bright 
sun. Now turn, and view the other side of the picture : 
the Americans principally covered from the sight of the 
enemy, still having them in full view ; observing every evo- 
lution and manoeuvre until the awful word Fire ! was given, 
when all was a steady rattle of small arms, mixed with roar- 
ing cannon from their floating batteries, and shipping, and 
hills in Boston, with their field artillery, together with our 
own pieces. The sound for some minutes was almost deaf- 
ening ; then a calm succeeded, the air cleared, and the line 

* From a letter addressed to Hon. Richard Frothingham, historian of 
Charlestown, written by Enos Reynolds of Boxford, in 1839, — Mr. Reynolds 
being eighty-two years old. The letter was never sent. It is full of the 
enthusiasm of the old soldier, and breathes of the spirit of the Revolutionary 
patriots. 

Mr. Reynolds was in Stark's regiment, and had marched to the battle from 
Medford, where the regiment had been stationed. He was, unlike some of 
the actors in that scene, exceedingly chary of his words in speaking of that 
terrible day. " There was much confusion in the battle," he was wont to 
say. " Did you see Putnam that day ? " it was asked of him. " Yes, if I 
saw anybody." "Where did you see him?" "At the breastwork." "Are you 
sure he was in the battle?" "Yes, if / was there." "Did you see him 
again?" "Yes, when we were going off the field." "Did you see his hands 
full of spades and pickaxes?" 1 "No," replied the veteran firmly (these 
were nearly his words), — "no ; but I remember seeing his sword as he was 
waving it far in the rear of the retreating Americans." 

Mr. Reynolds' next service was as a volunteer in the expedition of Ar- 
nold to Quebec. It was his eventful lot to encounter more than the common 
hardships of that perilous enterprise. He represented his keenest sufferings 
to have been in the night, when, with a hundred others, he reached an island, 
and the river rose so rapidly around it that they could not get off until the 
next day. It was bitter cold, and wood was scarce. Game, too, was by no 

1 "Gen. Putnam rode off with a number of spades and pickaxes in his hands." — Dear- 
borns Account of Bunker-Hill Battle. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 225 

retreated, and formed for their second attack, which soon 
commenced with reanimated fury, and as soon subsided. 
They formed the third time, and being re-enforced with 
fresh troops from Boston (ammunition failing the Ameri- 
cans), they carried the fort at the point of the bayonet. 
The left of the Americans was for a short time longer 
engaged with the right of the British, but was soon obliged 
to join the retreat, and leave the field." 

In this battle the British had two hundred and twenty- 
six killed, and eight hundred and twenty-eight wounded. 
Of the Americans, one hundred and thirty-nine were killed, 
and three hundred and fourteen wounded and missinsr. 
Out of the Boxford company eight were killed ; their names 
have not been ascertained, except Isaac Adams, Joseph 
Simmons, Carleton, and James Boynton. 

means abundant. They could do nothing but wait and suffer. Anguish 
had stamped that night's events indelibly upon his memory. " I thought I 
should have died," he said in relating them. For thirty-three days in this 
march he did not sleep in dry clothes. In December (1775) he was taken 
prisoner, and remained in the hands of the British until the succeeding Octo- 
ber. He spoke of Gen. Carleton with touching gratitude for his humanity 
towards himself and fellow-prisoners. 

Subsequently, and at the time of Arnold's treachery, he was stationed at 
West Point. He performed guard-duty in the same room with Major Andre 
on the last night of his life. The frankness, manly bearing, and fine personal 
address of the prisoner, won the sympathy of the whole army. Mr. Reynolds 
represented this sympathy, both in intensity and duration. He was charmed 
chiefly with Andre's manners ; for that night he said but little during the 
time Mr. Reynolds was with him. "Andre," the veteran would say with 
emphasis, "was the handsomest man I ever laid my eyes on." He paraded 
with the troops ordered out to the execution: not an eye but was bathed in 
tears ; and, as the veteran recalled the scene, the solemn funeral procession 
and the events of the gallows came so vividly before him, that his emotion 
almost choked his utterance. 

After the close of the war he devoted himself to the labors of peace. He 
was the vice-president of the first Whig State Convention, held at Fancuil 
Hall in September, 1842. He died Aug. 11, 1845, a S e< ^ eighty-nine years. 
His son Stephen, it will be remembered by the older residents, was the .Mr. 
Reynolds who was so prominent among the Sandwich-Islanders ; and by 
whose influence several of the natives came to Boxford, where they settled. 



226 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

In addition to those members of the three companies in 
Boxford, we find on the ist of August, 1775, that Stephen 
Merrill and John Towne were in the company of Capt. 
Samuel Gridley, in Col. Richard Gridley's regiment. 

Twenty-five men went out to the assistance of Gloucester 
(Cape Ann) this year. The following enlisted for fourteen ' 
days, viz. : James Andrews, Asa Peabody, James Andrews, 
Asa Kimball, Daniel Perley, Nathan Andrews, jr., Joseph 
Peabody, Nathaniel Smith, Jacob Eils, Daniel Chapman, 
Ephraim Matthews, and John Killam. 

After their term of enlistment was through, the following 
also enlisted in the same service, and for the same length 
of time, viz. : David Stickney, Abner Curtis, William Cum- 
mings, David Foster, Darius Adams, Edmund Chadwick, 
Samuel Chadwick, Ephraim Peabody, Benjamin Spofford, 
Thomas Adams, Thomas Chadwick, Jonathan Tyler, and 
William Lacy. 

Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the 
American troops by the Provincial Congress, May 10, 
1775. As soon as he had taken a survey of the whole 
ground, he called a council of war. The council, without a 
dissenting voice, gave it as their opinion, that the posts 
around Boston, though numerous, must be occupied and 
sustained ; and that, for this purpose, a force of at least 
twenty-two thousand men was necessary. They also 
recommended to the colonies of New England to make up 
• the deficiency. 

One great difficulty which stared them in the face was 
the want of ammunition. Washington had found, to his 
surprise, that there was not powder enough in the whole 
American army to furnish nine cartridges to each man. 
This was a most alarming fact, and perplexed even the 
commander himself. When it became known, many of 
the inhabitants went into the business of manufacturing 
powder and running up bullets. The towns also caused it 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 227 

to be clone ; at any rate, to manufacture what they needed 
for their own troops. To corroborate this statement, we 
find on the town-records of Boxford the following: "Sept. 
25, 1775, Gave an order to John Stiles of one shilling for 
the use of his shop and one bushel of coal in running 
bullets." 

March 19, 1776, the East Parish "gave leave to Deacon 
Symonds to take out the dirt under the meeting-house for 
the use of the saltpetre ; he leaving the same as good as 
he finds it." Linebrook Parish (Ipswich) also " voted, 
that Daniel Chapman of Boxford, should have the dirt 
under their meeting-house, to make saltpetre."* Thus we 
see that the business was carried on to some extent in 
this town, and perhaps more instances could be found on 
further research. 

It was voted, March 23, 1776, "that one-third of the 
town's ammunition be kept in the Second (West) Parish 
in the future." 

In the summer and fall of 1775 Boxford was the repos- 
itory of the ammunition belonging to Salem and Beverly. 
It was a custom that year, when the British troops were 
so near, to carry the ammunition away from the coast, and 
keep it in some private place. 

Jonathan Foster was another captain of the Revolution. 
An orderly-book of his is preserved in the family. 

Agreeable to a resolve of the House of Representatives, 
June 7, 1776, on the subject of declaring the independence 
of the colonies, the town of Boxford met on the 17th, 
and " voted unanimously that if the Honorable Continental 
Congress should for the safety of the Colonics declare them 
independent of the Kingdom of Great Britain, they, the 
said inhabitants of Boxford, will solemnly engage with their 
lives and fortunes to support them in the measure." The 
Declaration of Independence was adopted only .seventeen 

* Felt's History of Ipswich. 



228 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

days later, namely, on the 4th of July, 1776; and, after 
being read in the churches, was engrossed on the town- 
records. 

The following lists, or rolls, contain the names of those 
men that were in the service at various places, and for 
different periods of time, during the year 1776, which we 
have not mentioned on the preceding pages. We give 
them as given on the rolls. The first list is that of those 
men who enlisted for eight months in the Cambridge cam- 
paign : Jacob Hazen, Asa Smith, John Towne, Andrew 
Peabody, Allen Perley, Robert Andrews, Joshua Andrews, 
Samuel Brown, Rufus Burnham, Thomas Dwinnell, Job Da- 
vis, Stephen Emery, Edmund Herrick, John Hale, Stephen 
Perley, Daniel Peabody, Joshua Rea, Jonathan Wood, Moses 
Wood, Eliphalet Wood, John Wild (or Willet), Seth Burn- 
ham, Nathaniel Fuller, Jacob Perkins, Ivory Hovey, Samuel 
Cole, Eliphalet Cole, Moses Carleton, Nathan Kimball, jr., 
Enoch Kimball, Benjamin Foster, Asahel Goodridge, John 
Stiles, John Towne, jr., Elijah Gould, Joseph Simmons, 
Robert Perkins, Joseph Peabody, Stephen Gould, jr., Dan- 
iel Cole, Dudley Foster, Moses Kimball, Ebenezer Peabody, 
Stephen Merrill, Moses Porter, jr., Jeremiah Robinson, 
David Sessions, Elijah Clark, and Jonathan Gilman. Whole 
number of men, forty-nine. 

The following were in the Cambridge campaign, but we 
do not know for what time : Gideon Bixby, David Kimball, 
and Levi Goodridge. 

The following were stationed at Roxbury and Winter 
Hill (the time is not known) : John Curtis, Ephraim Kim- 
ball, David Hall (or Hull), Aaron Perley, David Foster, 
Daniel Kimball, Abner Curtis, Ephraim Matthews, Jona- 
than Dwinnell, Abraham Tyler, Joseph Hovey, jr., Parker 
Spofford, Thomas Adams, Edmund Chadwick, Samuel 
Chadwick, Enos Carleton, Jesse Hardy, Asa Hardy ( 
Ephraim Peabody, John Tyler, Luke Hovey, jr., Thomas 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 229 

Chadwick, jr., Amos Hovey, Seth Peabody, and Tyler 
Porter. Whole number of men, twenty-five. 

The following enlisted in the Continental and Northern 
Army. These men probably served in Capt. Peabody's 
company (in Col. Wigglesworth's regiment), stationed at 
Ticonderoga in August, 1 yy6, where they probably remained 
during the next winter. John Pearl, a private in the com- 
pany, in a letter to his wife dated Oct. 12, 1776, says : " It 
has been very sickly in camp with the camp-disorder, but 
the sick ones are now getting better. We don't expect any 
fighting here this fall, for we are very strong, both by land 
and by water; have twenty-three sail off the line." Their 
time of service is not known. The list follows : John 
Stiles, Isaac Perkins, David Emery, Moses Porter, jr., 
Eliphalet Cole, Hannaniah Barker, Seth Peabody, Jonathan 
Gilman, Robert Andrews, Eliphalet Wood, Allen Perley, 
Joshua Rea, Seth Burnham, Timothy Stiles, Thomas Kil- 
lam, David Foster, William Cummings, Ephraim Matthews, 
Daniel Kimball, Thomas Adams, John Chadwick, jr., Ed- 
mund Chadwick, Enos Carleton, John Pearl, Benjamin 
Spofford, and Parker Tyler. Whole number of men, 
twenty-six. 

The following men were stationed at Dorchester for an 
unknown period : Stephen Gould, John Herrick, Samuel 
Stiles, Jesse Burbank, Pelatiah Lakeman, and Joseph 
Reynolds. 

The following were stationed at New York for two 
months : John Curtis, Nathan Low, Solomon Perley, Ezra 
Wildes, Joshua Andrews, Abraham Tyler, Samuel Carle- 
ton, John Tyler, David Wood, jr., and Benjamin Foster. 

The following were also stationed at the same place for 
the same length of, but at a different, time : John Dorman, 
Elijah Averill, Nathan Wood, Abner Curtis, Joseph Hovey, 
Benjamin Dwinnell, Daniel Chapman, Enoch Wood, and 
Samuel Chadwick. 



230 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

The following were stationed for two months at Winter 
Hill : John Dorman, Jedediah Stickney, Jacob Smith, 
Daniel Chapman, Daniel Nurse, Francis Perley, William 
Rea, Nathan Low, David Stickney, and Jeremiah Foster, jr. 

The following enlisted into the Continental and North- 
ern Army, at a different time from those on the preceding 
page (their length of service is not known) : Stephen 
Symonds, Jacob Perley, Elijah Dwinnell, Jacob Gould, Sol- 
omon Gould, Amos Perley, Moses Peabody, Amos Perley, 
John Butman, Francis Perley, Nathan Andrews, Thomas 
Perley, jr., John Curtis, Asa Peabody, John Andrews, 
Nathaniel Smith, Aaron Perley, Nathan Andrews, Samuel 
Kimball, Richard Foster, Joseph Hale, jr., Isaac Perley, 
Nathan Perley, Benjamin Porter, 3d, Jeremiah Perley, John 
Hovey, jr., John Foster, Moody Perley, Thomas Chad- 
wick, Ephraim Foster, Richard Hovey, Ephraim Peabody, 
Simeon Stiles, and Daniel Peabody. Whole number of 
men, thirty-four. 

The following were in "the remainder of the Continental 
Army:" Stephen Spofford, Jonathan Tyler, Samuel Carle- 
ton, Oliver Foster, Joseph Hovey, Gideon Tyler, William 
Porter, Moses Tyler, Isaac Adams, Thomas Chadwick, 
Ephraim Chadwick, John Chadwick, Joseph Sessions, and 
Isaac Chadwick. 

The whole number of men contained in these rolls is two 
hundred and eleven. 

Among the notable events which occurred during the 
year 1776 was the evacuation from Boston of the British, 
who sailed to Halifax, and shortly afterwards returned, 
and took up their position at the New- York end of Long 
Island. This caused Washington also to take up his posi- 
tion at New York ; and in that vicinity several battles were 
enacted between the contending armies. Among them we 
would mention the battle of Sullivan's Island, battle of 
Long Island, and battle of White Plains. As we do not 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 231 

know in which of these battles the Boxford men took part, 
we shall pass on without a more extended account of them. 
The following order is found recorded on the selectmen's 
records : — 

" Boxford Nov 16 th 1776 Then Committed to Treasurer Nathan 
Wood the sum of nine pounds four shillings and ten pence, being 
what the Gen 1 Court have allowed for providing the town with 
intrenching tools agreeable to an Act of the Geni Court. 

" IsAAC Adam s j Selectmen 
Nathan Wood > of 
John Cushing ) Boxford:' 

Nov. 28, 1776, the town voted "to pay the expenses of 
such men as shall be called upon by authority to go into 
the public service for the future." 

Dec. 5, 1776, Capt. Jacob Gould, Mr. Nathaniel Perley, 
and Ens. Gideon Tyler, were appointed a committee to 
hire soldiers for " future public service." 

Dec. 23, 1776, the town voted " to raise .£1,000 to defray 
expenses arising from the war." 

In the spring of 1776 England hired seventeen thousand 
soldiers from the little state of Hesse, in Germany, called 
Hessians, and transported them to America to assist the 
British in prosecuting the war. As was the custom in 
ancient times, the soldiers' families followed the army, and 
were taken prisoners with them. More than a dozen of 
these Hessian prisoners were kept here in Boxford. Sev- 
eral of them lived with Capt. William Perley, others with 
Rufus Burnham, and one entire family resided in the 
Emerson house that stood near the residence of Mr. 
Francis Marden. One of these was Capt. Leach of the 
Queen's Light Dragoons. Kate Dunn and Sergeant Don- 
aldson, and an old man, by name Dunckleogleby, were 
some of the others. 

The Six Nations, as they were called, of Indians, had 
promised to be neutral in the war; but all except the 



232 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Oncidas became at length quite troublesome, — plundering, 
murdering, and burning, — being, no doubt, instigated by 
the British agents. Gen. Sullivan, with a part of the 
American army, was at length sent out against them. 
Nov. 15, 1776, orders were issued to Daniel Lane of Bux- 
ton, Me., to appoint his inferior officers, and enlist a com- 
pany of eighty-six men ; said company to be under his 
command, and which ultimately was prominent in being 
connected with Sullivan's army. A bounty of twenty 
dollars was given to those who enlisted for three years, or 
during the war. Capt. Lane appointed Ebenezer Peabody 
of Boxford for lieutenant, and James Laury of Berwick, 
Me., for ensign. Shortly afterwards the rest of the officers 
were appointed, — among whom were Stephen Merrill as 
sergeant, and Enos Reynolds and Jonathan Gilman as cor- 
porals, from Boxford. Three Boxford men also enlisted 
in the company as privates ; viz., Seth Peabody and John 
Stiles, April 14, 1777, and David Kimball, April 21, 1777. 
The rest of the company was made up from various towns. 
It contained sixty-three men, including the officers, and 
was under the command of Col. Ichabod Alden of the 
Sixth Massachusetts Regiment. 

In the spring of 1777 the company took up their sta- 
tion with the American army. One of the privates from 
Buxton died May 5, and on the 2 2d Seth Peabody died. 
July 1 they were at Cambridge, and also on the 20th. 
On the succeeding day the captain, a sergeant, and two 
privates were taken prisoners ; nothing further is known 
as to what became of them. Aug. 31 they were on Van- 
sheit's Island ; and Sept. 8 they removed to Stillwater, and 
encamped with the American army. They were probably 
in the engagement at that place on the 19th, when a severe 
battle was fought for four hours, which was only checked 
by the darkness of night. Both armies, however, had suf- 
fered so much that they did not choose to renew the battle 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 233 

next morning. They were in sight of each other till Oct. 
7, when a second battle was fought near Saratoga, in which 
Burgoyne was defeated. In this second conflict Capt. 
Lane's company lost one of its privates, and Lieut. Pea- 
body was wounded by a ball which passed through his 
belt, hit his thigh-bone, and, glancing upwards, came out 
near his shoulder. The belt which he wore at the time, 
showing the bullet-hole, is still treasured by the family 
of his son, the late venerable Benjamin Peabody. The 
regiment probably spent the winter at Albany. By trip- 
lets, pairs, and single men, the company gradually grew 
less in numbers. John Stiles died Feb. 3, 1778, and at the 
same time two more privates were sick in the general 
hospital. Oct. 18, another private died. 

At the destruction of Schoharie, about fifteen miles 
from Albany, by the English and Indians, May 30, 1778, 
this company was engaged, and three of its privates killed. 
June 16, another private died. The company was then 
reduced to forty-two men. June 22, they were still at 
Albany. Shortly after, they were stationed at Cherry 
Valley, one of the frontier settlements of New York. Col. 
Alden's command, then numbering between two hundred 
and three hundred men, took up their station in the fort 
there. Early in the following November Col. Alden was 
apprised of the march of Brant, an Onondaga chief of 
the Mohawk tribe ; and, when urged to receive the inhab- 
itants into the fort, observed that there was no danger, as 
he would keep out scouts who would apprise them of the 
approach of the enemy in season to remove. Scouts were 
accordingly sent out (two of whom at least were of Capt. 
Lane's company), and one of them built a large fire, and 
lay down to sleep. Brant's warriors were not misled by 
so luminous a beacon, and the scouts were made prisoners. 
This was on the night of Nov. 9, 1778. On the morning 
of the nth, favored by a thick and hazy atmosphere, the 



234 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

savages approached the fort. A Mr. Hamble was fired 
upon as he was coming from his house to the fort by a 
scout, which gave the first notice of the enemy. He 
escaped, and gave the alarm to Col. Alden, who, strange as 
it may appear, was still incredulous, and said it was nothing 
more than some straggling Indians. The last space of 
time was thus lost ! — and, in less than half an hour, all 
parts of the place were invested by the enemy. As few 
arrangements had been made for such an assault the in- 
habitants fell an easy prey. Col. Alden was one of the 
first victims. The fort, containing about two hundred 
soldiers, was not taken, although several attacks were made 
upon it. 

In a letter to his brother-in-law, John Pearl of Boxford, 
dated at Fort Alden, Cherry Valley, Dec. 13, 1778, Lieut. 
Peabody says : " I am almost naked for want of shirts, 
stockings, &c. . . . When the enemy were here they killed, 
scalped, and burnt thirty-two men, women, and children, 
and carried thirty-two prisoners to Niagara ; killed, of the 
Continentals, Col. Ichabod Alden and twelve privates, and 
scalped those that could not get to the fort. I was at 
my quarters, and tried to get to the fort ; they liked to have 
got me, but I made my escape. . . . The enemy have burnt 
one hundred and forty-odd buildings, and made the place 
desolate of inhabitants. . . . Do not expect to leave the 
place this winter ; should like to ; hope to get home in the 
spring." In another letter to Mr. Pearl, dated at Cherry 
Valley, Jan. 3, 1779, Lieut. Peabody says: "We live on 
Salt Beef & bread ; can get no Syder nor Apples, nor no 
kind of Sarce. ... Its very healthy at present. . . . Hope 
to get home in the Spring." 

The soldiers staid at Cherry Valley till June 18, when 
they marched into the Seneca country. They joined Sul- 
livan's army at Tuego, about the 25th of August, and 
participated in a fight with Brant and Butler (another 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 235 

chief) Aug. 29, at Newtown, now Elmira, N.Y., when the 
Indians were thrown into confusion. The Americans de- 
stroyed all traces of vegetation, such as fruit-trees, corn, and 
so forth, that lay in their path. It has been said that a 
hundred and sixty thousand bushels of corn were destroyed 
that summer (1779). In the fall the company disbanded. 

The spring of 1777 opened. The British commander in 
New York amused himself by sending out detachments of 
troops to ravage the country ; the towns of Peekskill, N.Y., 
Danbury, Conn., and others, suffering from their many 
depredations. The towns constantly sent out troops 
to re-enforce the American army, which was intrenched 
among the hills of New Jersey. 

Boxford held their annual town-meeting on the 18th of 
March, but assembled again only three days later, and 
" voted to allow ^20 to every man that shall enlist into 
the service of the Continent for three years, or during the 
present war." 

The committee appointed to hire soldiers hired the 
following, viz. : " thirteen Boxford men, — John Stiles, David 
Emery, Joseph Peabody, James Andrews, Moses Carleton, 
Enos Kimball, Stephen Merrill, Seth Peabody, David Kim- 
ball, Jonathan Gilman, Napline (a negro), and Hannaniah 
Barker, at £50 each, and Jesse Emery at ,£20 ; sixteen 
Boston men, — John Jackson (?), Seth Webber, Moses Por- 
ter, John McAnally, Charles Rider, Charles Grand, John 
Targs, Antony Mannuel, John Delley Howard, Moses 
Grant, William Taylor, Edward Blake, Joseph Derby, John 
Gills, and Thomas Etheridge, all at ^20 each ; two Scar- 
borough men, — John Croxford and Derlin, at ^20 

and £18 respectively; one Wenham man, — Asa Porter, 
at ^20; and one Bridgton man, — Jeremiah Burnham, at 
^20. Total amount paid out, £778." 

The spring and summer of 1777 passed, and Washing- 
ton had not stirred. Purposing an attack upon Philadel- 



236 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

phia, Sept. 3, the British army rapidly approached the city. 
Washington, who had kept an eye on their movements, was 
on the road to meet them. The two armies met at a place 
called Chad's Ford, on the river Brandywine, about twenty- 
five miles south-west from Philadelphia; and on the nth 
inst. a severe battle took place, which continued nearly all 
day, and ended in the defeat of the Americans with great 
loss. They then made the best of their way to Chester, 
where, they arrived that night, and the next day proceeded 
to Philadelphia. 

Washington concluded to quit the city, and repair to a 
strong position on the Schuylkill, twenty miles northward. 
After their departure from the city, the British entered and 
took possession. 

The British also gained some other advantages about 
that time ; among which may be mentioned the surprise 
and defeat of Gen. Wayne. 

The battle of Germantown was fought on the morning 
of the 4th of October; in this the British were repulsed 
at several points, and about one hundred and twenty taken 
prisoners. After the battle, Washington resumed his for- 
mer position, but in a few days removed to White Marsh, 
eleven miles north-west of Philadelphia. The British, on 
their part, left Germantown, and retired to the city, where 
they spent the winter. As winter came on, Washington 
and his army retired for winter-quarters to Valley Forge, 
a deep and rugged hollow twenty miles north-west from 
Philadelphia. On the 18th of December they began to 
build huts. These were sixteen by fourteen feet, and 
were made to accommodate twelve men each. They were 
so numerous, that, when the encampment was completed, it 
had the appearance of a town, with streets and avenues. 
Troops from each particular State had their quarters to- 
gether, in this temporary village of log-huts, and here they 
suffered together, for it was a winter of the utmost sever- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 237 

ity ; thousands had no blankets, and were obliged to spend 
the nights in trying to get warm, rather than in sleeping. 
They also suffered greatly, at times, from want of food. 

Leaving them suffering with hunger, cold, and naked- 
ness, some of our Boxford patriots among them, we will just 
glance back at the capture of Ticonderoga, by the British, 
where Capt. Richard Peabody * was stationed with a com- 
pany of volunteers. Ticonderoga was defended by three 
thousand men under the command of Gen. St. Clair. Dis- 
cerning that the British had more than thrice their number 
of soldiers, besides a large body of artillery, the Americans 
concluded to leave the fort ; but as they were doing so were 
forced to fight, and a very disastrous battle ensued. 

A story connected with Capt. Peabody in this battle 
is thus stated : When the long roll of the drum, the call to 
muster, was sounded, as the British came in sight, the 
troops were at dinner. All the soldiers immediately left 
off eating, excepting Capt. Peabody's company, who were 
inclined to do so, but he advised them to finish their meal. 
After they had finished, he called his men together, and 
with the words, " Thank the Lord, now we are ready for 
them," he marched toward the foe. One of his sons, who 
was but thirteen years of age, was in the battle with him. 

On the 17th of October, Gen. Burgoyne surrendered his 
entire command, numbering some six thousand men, to 
Gen. Gates of the American army. At the surrender, 
Lieut. Ebenezer Peabody was present with Col. Brooks. 
The prisoners, numbering 5,752 men, were kept at Winter 
Hill, where they were guarded by troops raised for that 
purpose. Nov. 10, Stephen Gould, jr., Asa Kimball, Jacob 
Smith, Nathan Stickney, Enoch Wood, John Herrick, and 
Jesse Burbank volunteered in the above service, to be 
under the direction of Gen. Heath. Seth Burnham, Jon- 
athan Peabody, Robert Andrews, Eliphalet Wood, Nathan 

* He also commanded a company at Lake George. 



238 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Stickney, Andrew Peabody, Ezra Gould, and Nathaniel 
Hale also served during the following winter, in the same 
service, in the company of Capt. Nathaniel Gage, Col. 
Gerrish's regiment, in which company John Dorman of 
Boxford was lieutenant. 

The disgust of the Tory sentiment by the inhabitants of 
Boxford had grown to such an extent that on the 2d of 
June, 1777, they "voted to choose some suitable person to 
procure all the evidence that may be had respecting any 
one that is suspected of being unfriendly to the rights and 
liberties of America, agreeable to the direction of the 
General Court. Voted that Lieut. Benjamin Perley be 
the person." We have no knowledge of any Tory being 
brought before a tribunal in town because of his sentiments, 
although we doubt not that more than one was made to 
know what the Yankees thought of them. 

Sept. 23, 1777, the town hired two more soldiers, — 
Caleb Goodwin of Penobscot, who enlisted into Capt. 
David Allen's company, in Col. Crain's regiment ; and 
Nathaniel Cook of Boston, who enlisted into Capt. Scott's 
company, in Col. Handly's regiment, — at £67 each. The 
town paid out to the soldiers in 1777, ,£324 2 s. They also 
paid Capt. William Perley £,2 Ss. 6d., Nathaniel Perley 
£\ gs. 6d., and Lieut. Benjamin Perley £2 4s. 2d., for 
services as committee-men to hire soldiers for the " Conti- 
nental service." 

Very little was further done by either army until the 
latter part of June, 1778. On the 18th the British evacu- 
ated Philadelphia, and began their march toward New 
York. When they had got as far as Monmouth (sixty-four 
miles out), they found themselves attacked by the Amer- 
ican army. On account of the misconduct of Lee, the 
Americans were thrown into confusion ; but order was 
again somewhat regained by Washington, and the battle 
vigorously sustained till dark, when it was postponed until 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 239 

morning. The troops camped where they were, during the 
night, but when the sun arose next morning the British 
were among the missing. In this battle both parties 
suffered severely ; and many of the soldiers died from the 
effects of the heat, the day being so excessively hot. 

Among the greater events of that year was the battle 
at Newport, R. I. ; but the South witnessed most of the 
scenes of the conflicting armies during the year. 

The northern department of the American army chiefly 
passed the winter of 1778-79 near the Hudson — some 
on the New Jersey side, and some on the other. Two 
brigades were as far up as West Point. Three brigades 
were also quartered near Danbury, in Connecticut. 

Ancill Stickney served in Capt. Dodge's company, — 
stationed at Winter Hill, from July 2 to Dec. 17, 1778. 

Benjamin Foster enlisted as a sergeant July 1, and 
Joshua Rea as a private, July 3, 1778, in Capt. Jonathan 
Foster's company, in Col. Nathaniel Wade's regiment, — 
stationed at Middleton, R.I., — for the term of six months. 
We now come to the opening of the year 1779, which was 
less distinguished for splendid or brilliant achievements by 
either of the two contending armies, than any year since 
the commencement of the war. Amid the general paucity 
of events, there were two brilliant and somewhat decisive 
actions in the vicinity of New York during this year. We 
refer to the capture of Stony Point and Paulus Hook, two 
strong military posts guarded by the British. 

During the winter of 1779-80, the greater part of the 
American army camped in Morristown, N. J. There were, 
however, strong detachments at West Point and other 
posts along the Hudson, and a body of cavalry in Connecti- 
cut. The winter proved to be a very severe one, and the 
suffering of the army was very great. 

Ancill Stickney served at Winter Hill, under the com- 
mand of Capt. Dodge, from July — to Oct. 9, 1779, when 



240 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

he was detached as re-enforcement to the Northern army, 
in Capt. Addison Richardson's company, Col. Jacob Ger- 
rish's regiment. 

Joseph Sessions and William Robinson died in the army 
in 1779. 

John Dorman was allowed, April 20, 1779, £13 6 s., for 
services at Winter Hill. Jesse Emery was also in the 
army this year. 

Simeon Cole, a private in the Revolution, was granted a 
pension of £96 per year, April 3, 1819, in conformity to 
the Pension Law of March 18, 1818. 

The events of the war during 1780 were mostly in the 
South. The first part of the year was a season of continual 
defeats to the Americans ; but at the latter end of summer 
several conflicts resulted greatly in their favor. 

In the year 1780, Nathan Andrews let his horse go into 
the army, for which the town afterwards paid him. 

Jedediah Stickney enlisted as second lieutenant, June 
27, 1780, in Capt. Jonathan Ayer's company, Col. Nathaniel 
Wade's regiment, to re-enforce the Continental army, and 
served till Oct. 10, 1780. 

The following " 6 month's men " were raised in Boxford, 
in 1780, viz. : — 

Amos Gage entered service July 10, 1780; discharged, Jan. 10, 1781. 

David Kimball " " " " 

Joseph Kimball " " " " 

Caleb Foot " " " " 

James Mosley " " " " 

Enos Reynolds " " " Dec. 7, 1780. 

Asa Hardy " " " Jan. 4, 17S1. 

Amos Hovey " July 27, 1780; " Dec. 16, 1780. 

Robert Andrews " " " " 

Eliphalet Wood " " " " 

Oct. 12, 1780, the town voted to raise ,£16,000* to buy 
beef for the soldiers with ; shortly afterward £44,625 * 

* See foot-note, p. 153. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 241 

more. "October the 29: 1784 gaue an order to Ruth 
Curtice of one pound ten Shillings She being alowed 
Sd Sum for Seruics don in the town in purcheshing Beef." 

In the winter of 1780-81, the American troops quartered 
at the same places as they did the year before. 

Jan. 4, 1 78 1, the town voted to pay soldiers, who would 
enlist for the ensuing three years, one hundred and twenty 
silver dollars per year. 

The three following orders were given to Capt. William 
Perley with which to purchase corn for the soldiers, viz. : 
Jan. 11, 1781,^5,000*; Jan. 23, 1781,^5,000*; and Feb. 
21, 1778, ,£3,000.* 

The Southern part of the army gained a brilliant victory, 
Jan. 17, 1 781, at a place called Cowpens, in South Carolina, 
over a detachment of British troops under the command of 
Col. Tarleton. The Americans were immediately pursued 
by Lord Cornwallis, who was, at the time of the defeat of 
Tarleton, on the point of invading North Carolina ; and 
on the 15th of March an engagement took place between 
them, the British coming off at last victorious, though to 
them it was little less injurious than a defeat. Another 
battle was fought on the 25 th of April, near Camden, in 
which the Americans were obliged to retreat. These vic- 
tories of the British were dearly bought, and were fast 
reducing their strength. Lord Cornwallis had taken most 
of his troops from South Carolina, and marched to York- 
town in Virginia. The Northern and Southern sections of 
the American army now came together, and laid siege to 
Yorktown on the 6th of October. The siege was carried 
on with so much vigor, that on the 19th Lord Cornwallis 
found himself obliged to surrender, with his whole army of 
more than seven thousand men. 

Soon after the surrender of Cornwallis, the Northern 
division of the American army returned to their old posi- 
tion on the Hudson. 

* See foot-note, p. 153. 



242 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

After waiting a number of months, in which only a few 
slight skirmishes occurred, a treaty of peace was signed, 
Nov. 20, 1782, and America's independence acknowledged 
by Great Britain in the following year. 

Another Revolutionary patriot from Boxford was Henry 
Perley, father of the late Major Samuel Perley. Being, in 
the spring of 1775, twenty years of age, he let himself to a 
farmer in Stoughton, Mass. At the battle of Lexington 
he was in Capt. William Bent's company ; and, after the 
battle, enlisted as a private in Bent's company, in Col. 
John Greaton's regiment, where he remained till the end 
of the year, when his engagement was out. He immedi- 
ately re-enlisted in the same company, at Fort No. 2, in 
Cambridge, for one year. About the 18th of March they 
were ordered to New York, via Connecticut. They took 
shipping at Norwich, sailed to New London, crossed Long- 
Island Sound, and marched by land to New York, where 
they sojourned about three weeks. They were ordered 
to Canada by the way of Albany, and were under the 
command of Gen. Thompson, who died at Chambly, of 
small-pox. The troops were ordered over most of Lower 
Canada. A great part of the army being sick with the 
small-pox, they were obliged to retreat before the enemy, 
leaving their sick and languishing upon the ground. They 
retreated to the island of Au Noix, and from there marched 
to Crown Point, and then to Ticonderoga. When the 
regiment was ordered to Mount Independence, Mr. Perley 
was taken sick, and was discharged Nov. 1, 1776, by 
Gen. Gates, commander of the Northern army. Henry's 
brother Eliphalet was in the army with him in 1776. In 
1778, July 31, he was detached from Capt. Jacob Gould's 
company, to march to Rhode Island. He was placed in 
Capt. Simeon Brown's company, of Salem, in Col. Wade's 
regiment, in Gen. Sullivan's expedition to Rhode Island, 
and belonged to Marquis de Lafayette's division. After 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 243 

the retreat they were disbanded. In 1779 he was a soldier 
in Capt. Jeremiah Putnam's company (of Danvers), Col. 
Tyler's regiment, and was stationed at Providence till the 
enemy left Newport. The regiment was stationed at 
Newport until their engagements were out, which was 
Jan. 5, 1780. 

During the year 1781, Peter Chadwick and William 
Runnells died in the army. 

Ancill Stickney enlisted in Capt. James Malloon's com- 
pany, Col. Putnam's regiment, to re-enforce the Continental 
army, serving from Aug. 21 to Dec. 4, 1781. 

In 1 78 1 orders to the amount of .£1,413 3 s. 2d. were 
issued by the town for the payment of soldiers. 

The American army was kept together till the third day 
of November, 1783, when, after suitable preparation had 
been made, it was disbanded in due form. At New York, 
Washington, in an affectionate address, first bade farewell 
to his soldiers, and subsequently to his officers. These 
last, at parting, he took by the hand separately. 

Thus ended the Revolutionary War, of eight years' 
duration, in which a hundred thousand lives were lost, and 
hundreds of millions of dollars were expended, and which 
left the United States in a debt of forty millions of dol- 
lars. But a new nation had been brought forth, — a nation 
founded on liberty; a nation which has for its principles 
only those that are proper for a perfect republican govern- 
ment ; one that is cherished by every native, whether at 
home or abroad ; and one that is most highly conducive to 
all right, education, and those things that make a prosper- 
ous and model nation. 



CHAPTER XL 

1 7; • 0-1800. 

Second Church. — New Meeting-House erected in Second 
Parish. — Rev. Moses Hale settled. — His Death, Minis- 
try, and Life. — Rev. Peter Eaton settled. — Singing in 
First Church. — Foster's Mill. — Wildcats. — Forming 
the State Constitution. — The Ratification of the 
United-States Constitution. — First Constitutional Elec- 
tion. — Prices of Various Merchandise, Labor, &c. — 
"Shays' Rebellion." — Dr. Benjamin Foster. — Dr. Wil- 
liam Hale. — Dr. George W. Sawyer. — Dr. Josiah Bacon. 
— Dr. Charles P. French. — Schools. — Bequest of Hon. 
Aaron Wood. — Town Debt. — Music and Negroes in 
Second Church. — Funds of the First Parish. — East- 
Parish Church repaired. — Presents to Dr. Eaton. — 
Stoves placed in the Churches. — "Essex Musical Asso- 
ciation." — Washington's Death. — Taverns, Stages, and 
Mails. 

^»^@HE Second Religious Society had now been with- 
'j^ out preaching — excepting what they occasionally 
hired — for several years. Among the ministers 
hired to preach to them were Rev. Samuel Web- 
ster, Rev. Mr. Woodman, Rev. Lemuel Le Baron, Rev. 
Mr. Cutler, Rev. Daniel Osgood of Andover, Rev. Isaac 
Mansfield, Rev. John Marrett of Newton, and Rev. Isaac 
Bigelow of Weston. 

The old meeting-house in the West Parish was getting 
to be in such poor condition that it was thought by the 
society to be beyond repair. With a view to building a 

new house of worship, and first wishing to find the centre 
244 




HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 245 

of the parish, in which spot it was desired to be built, a 
parish-meeting was held Jan. 3, 1774, at which it was voted 
to find the centre of the parish by measuring the roads ; 
which was accordingly done, and the centre found to be 
"four and a half rods to the north of Moses Porter's 
house." At a meeting held Jan. 10, they voted to set the 
meeting-house at the spot above named. It was put to 
vote, to see whether they would build a new meeting-house, 
or take down and move the old one ; when it was voted to 
build a new one. Capt. Isaac Adams, Nathaniel Peabody, 
and Lieut. Jonathan Foster were chosen to draw a plan of 
the new meeting-house. At a meeting held Monday, Jan. 
24, Capt. Isaac Adams, Ensign John Barker, and Lieut. 
Samuel Runnells were chosen a committee to provide 
materials for building the meeting-house, and to see the 
work effected. At a meeting held Jan. 31, it was voted to 
build the meeting-house " according to the same plan by 
which the meeting-house in New Rowley was built, except- 
ing a steeple, instead of which we are to have a porch built 
as at the other end of the meeting-house." March 21 they 
voted to find the centre of the parish by measuring the 
land, which was done by Benjamin Stevens of Andover, 
for which service the parish paid him £2 gs. ; and the 
centre proved to be " six or seven rods to the eastward of 
Benjamin Foster's house." After considering the centres 
found by measuring the roads and the land, it was thought 
best to set the meeting-house " in the corner of Deacon 
Chadwick's land, near to Rocky Point, so called, being 
between the centre found by taking a plan, and the centre 
found by measuring the roads." When spring opened, the 
work on the meeting-house commenced. The contract for 
building it was granted to Mr. Stephen Barker. It was 
probably finished by the middle of the next November. 
Regarding the ultimate disposal of the old meeting-house, 
the parish voted in March, 1775, " to sell it fur what it will 
fetch." 



246 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Aug. 19, 1774, Rev. Moses Hale, who had been preach- 
ing there for about four months, was invited to fill the 
pastoral office. He accepted their invitation Oct. 16; on 
the receipt of which the necessary letters of invitation were 
sent to the neighboring churches to assist in the ordaining 
exercises. The elders and messengers sent from the vari- 
ous churches in the vicinity met at the house of Ensign 
Gideon Tyler on the day of the ordination, Nov. 16, 1774, 
previous to repairing to the meeting-house, formed into a 
council, and voted that (at the ordination) Rev. Mr. Noyes 
begin with prayer ; Rev. Mr. Chandler pray, and give the 
charge ; Rev. Mr. Symmes make the last prayer ; and 
Rev. Mr. Holyoke give the right hand of fellowship. The 
Rev. Mr. Hale of Newbury preached the sermon, from 
2 Cor. v. 20. 

Mr. Hale's regular salary was ^80 per annum. By the 
depreciation of the currency during the Revolution, the 
value of paper money was reduced almost to nothing. 
Because of this the parish granted Mr. Hale in 1779 
.£1,500 more than his stated salary (,£80). In 1781 they 
granted him £6,000 ; but he refused it as insufficient, and 
asked for more, when it was voted to pay him his regular 
salary in specie. 

Mr. Hale was stricken down in the twelfth year of his 
ministry ; and he died in the thirty-eighth year of his age, 
May 25, 1786. He was son of the Rev. Moses Hale of 
Newbury, and was born Feb. 19, 1749, in Rowley. He 

married Elizabeth , by whom he had the following 

children, viz. : Elizabeth, bapt. Nov. 10, 1776; Moses, bapt. 
Sept. 27, 1778; Stephen, bapt. Dec. 6, 1780; Sarah, bapt. 
Dec. 8, 1782 ; and Mary Emery, bapt. May 8, 1785. His 
wife died April 24, 1785 ; and he followed her, as we have 
said above, about a year afterwards. Mr. Hale graduated 
at Harvard College, 1771, and soon after preached in the 
pulpit in which his labors were so soon ended. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 247 

His epitaph is as follows : — 

" In the dark caverns of the silent Tomb, 
The old, the young, the gay, all ages come. 
Here lies interr'd the Priest in sable Urn ; 
Here meet his flock & each to dust return. 
These iron gates no more shall e'er be burst, 
Till heav'ns command shall wake the sleeping dust, 
And then Creations vast, immense shall rise, 
And men with Angels throng th' etherial skies. 
The God of Nature thus from heav'n hath spoke, 
Nor Men nor Angels can his word revoke. 
It must be so ! then let my soul resign, 
And be prepared for his will divine." 

Little is known concerning the character or ability of 
Mr. Hale ; the church records, as well as those of the 
parish, being silent in the matter. He resided in the 
house that once stood across the street from the present 
residence of Mr. Daniel Wood. After Mr. Hale's death 
the place was owned and occupied by Lemuel Wood. 

After Mr. Hale's decease the pulpit was occupied by 
Rev. Mr. True, Rev. Solomon Aiken of Hardwick, and 
Rev. Gilbert Williams. 

May 12, 1789, the parish concurred with the church in 
inviting Rev. Peter Eaton of Haverhill to the pastoral 
office, agreeing to give him £80 and twelve cords of fire- 
wood annually as salary, and a settlement of ^160. His 
letter of acceptance was read before the congregation 
Aug. 2, when letters inviting their assistance at Mr. 
Eaton's ordination were sent to the neighboring churches. 
The ordination took place on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 1789. 
Previous to the ordination on said day, they repaired to 
the house of Major John Robinson, and made out a pro- 
gramme of the exercises, which contained the following 
items : The first prayer by Rev. Mr. Smith ; the ordaining 
prayer by Rev. Mr. Merrill ; charge to the pastor by Rev. 
Mr. Holyoke of the First Church ; the right hand of fcl- 



248 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

lowship by Rev. Mr. Symmes ; the last prayer by Rev. 
Mr. Peabody ; and the sermon delivered by Rev. Mr. 
Adams. The text was Phil. ii. 29. Thus was Mr. Eaton 
ordained to the ministry, in the twenty-third year of his age. 

Rev. Mr. Eaton erected the residence of Mr. Henry 
Barker at the time of his settlement, in which he lived 
during the many years of his ministry here. 

In the spring of 1788 the desire to have a parsonage 
built was prevalent, but not enough so to have it erected. 

In the summer of 1777, "by general desire," the First 
Church commenced to begin the public worship of the 
sabbath with singing. A few of the leaders of the choir 
that successively held the office were Nathaniel Perley, 
Moses Peabody, and David and Samuel Kimball. March 
19, 1782, it was voted "that the singers should have 
the east half of the front gallery, exclusive of the back 
pew." During the intermission of the services on the 
sabbath, the " Scriptures and other books of piety " were 
read as early as 1774. The persons chosen for that pur- 
pose were members of the church, and they held their 
office about three months at a time. 

In 1777 Jonathan Foster owned a mill in the West 
Parish. 

It seems that as late as 1770 wildcats were yet found 
here. A few years previous to that date, a bounty had 
been offered by the town for the capture of dangerous wild 
animals, agreeable to an order from the General Court. 
" 24 May, 1770, the town voted, that Samuel Dorman should 
have pay for a wild-cat's head if it shall appear that he has 
not had his pay therefor before." 

Thomas Perley was chosen to represent the town in a 
convention to be held at Cambridge, Sept. 1, 1779, for the 
sole purpose of forming a State Constitution agreeable to a 
resolve of the General Court ; and the town instructed him 
to use his influence that the form of Constitution that 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 249 

might be agreed upon be printed, and a copy sent to each 
town in the State for their approbation or disapprobation, 
agreeable to a resolve of the General Court, June 15, 1779. 
The Constitution was formed, and a copy sent to each 
town, agreeable to the wishes of our townsmen. Accord- 
ingly a committee* was chosen to examine it, and report to 
the town, which they shortly did in the following words : — 

* "Boxford, May 30, 1780. 

" The committee appointed to inspect the Constitution beg leave 
to inform the town that as far as we are able, according to the time we 
have had, we have endeavored to investigate the Constitution, and 
point out the errors, and shall lay before the town our objections and 
remarks thereon. 

" First objection : As the third article in the ' Declaration of 
Rights ' is rather obscure and ambiguous, we therefore want some 
further explanation on said article before we can accept it. 

" Second objection : We object against the freemen of any town or 
plantation being excluded from giving their votes for the choice of a 
representative while they are subjected to pay their proportion of 
State taxes. 

" Third objection : The House of Representatives being intended 
as the representative of the people, we object against any free inhabit- 
ant twenty-one years of age being excluded from giving his vote in 
the choice of a representative. 

" Fourth objection : We object that the quorum of the House of 
Representatives is too small where the House consists of three or 
four hundred members, and where they are invested with power to 
levy duties and excises on all wares, merchandise, and commodities 
whatsoever. 

" Fifth objection : We object the Governor's simply acknowledging 
himself of the Christian religion is not sufficient, — that he ought to 
declare himself a Protestant. 

" Sixth objection : We object against the Legislature's being in- 
vested with power to alter the qualifications of any officer in the State 
whatever until this Constitution shall be revised. 

" Seventh objection : Fifteen years we think too long for this Con- 
stitution to stand : we think eight years is long enough. 

* This committee were Capt. Jonathan Foster, Capt. Isaac Adams, Capt. 
John Robinson, Dr. William Hale, and Thomas Perley, jun. 



250 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

" First remark, or addition : That settled ministers of the Gospel 
shall not have a right to a seat in the Council, Senate, or House of 
Representatives. 

" Second remark : That the House of Representatives shall at least 
once a month lay before their constituents the several votes that may 
be determined by yeas and nays in said House, that the people 
may be able to judge who are friends to their country and who are not. 

" Third remark : That the towns may have authority to recall their 
representatives at any time when they shall act any thing inimical to 
the liberties of this Commonwealth, and to choose others to succeed 
them. 

" Fourth remark: That the House of Representatives be subjected 
to a trial lay jury for any failure of their promises to the people of this 
Commonwealth." 

On Wednesday, Jan. 9, 1788, the convention of the Com- 
monwealth of Massachusetts, to ratify the Constitution of 
the United States, convened in Boston. The representa- 
tive from Boxford was Hon. Aaron Wood, who negatived 
its adoption. The result was that the Constitution was 
adopted by a vote of 187 to 168. The convention con- 
tinued till the 7th of the following month, when they 
arrived at the above conclusion. Those who composed 
the minority acquiesced in the result of the convention, 
and said they would support the Constitution as much 
as if they had voted for it, on the ground that a majority 
had more judgment and wisdom than a minority. The 
oath of allegiance as prescribed by the Constitution was 
subscribed to by numbers of the leading men in Boxford. 
The following names are recorded on the town-records : 
Capt. William Perley, Broadstreet Tyler, Asa Peabody, 
Thomas Perley, jun., John Dorman, John Robinson, Capt. 
Francis Perley, Ivory Hovey, Aaron Perley, and Asa 
Merrill. 

The first "fall-election" under the State Constitution 
was held Sept. 4, 1780, with the following results, viz. : For 
governor, Hon. John Hancock, 32 votes ; for lieutenant- 
governor, Hon. James Bowdoin, 22 ; for counsellors and 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 25 1 

senators, George Williams 16, Samuel Johnson 15, Samuel 
Holton 20, Aaron Wood 14, Azor Orne 14, Stephen Choate 
8, Elbridge Gerry 8, Richmond Derby 5, Jonathan Webster 
14, Samuel Osgood 8, and Moses Little 8. The choice of 
governor continued to be unanimous for several years. 

The first grave-digger in town — John Boswell — was 
chosen in 17 16. March 19, 1776, the East Parish chose 
Timothy Patch and Joseph Matthews (one for each ceme- 
tery), to dig graves and attend funerals. 

The following is a list of prices agreed upon by a com- 
mittee appointed by the town to fix prices upon the differ- 
ent kinds of merchandise, labor, and so forth, in consequence 
of a recommendation of a convention held at Concord, July 
14, 1779: — 

Beef, of the best quality, 6d. per pound, till Sept. 1, and after that ^d. 

per pound. 
Butter, 1 2 d. per pound. 
Cheese, 6d. per pound. 
Indian Com, 4s. 10 d. per bushel. 
Veal, \d. per pound. 
West-India Rum, 6s. 6d. per gallon. 
New-England Rum, 4 s. 16 d. per gallon. 

Breakfast at Taverns, 1 5 d. 

Dinners at Taverns, of boiled and roast meat, \§d. 

Flip, or Toddy, made of West- India Rum, 16 d. per mug. 

Oats at Taverns, 3 d. per quart. 

Lodging at Taverns, /\.d. per night. 

Horse-keeping at Taverns, at grass, gd. per night. 

Ox-keeping at Taverns, at grass, \zd. per night, per pair. 

Barrels, made of sap-staves, 3 s. 6d. per barrel. 

Bark, good oak, delivered at the tanner's, 15 s. 6d. per cord. 

Hides, raw, ?,d. 8 far. per pound. 

Tanned sole-leather, 22 d. per pound, and all other tanned leather 
in proportion. 
Blacksmith 's Work. — Horse-shoeing (plain shod), all round, 4s. ; and 

work of all other kinds in the same proportion. 
Cloth, tow (good), 21 d. 4 far. per square yard. 
Linen, the same. 



252 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Cloth, woollen, fulled, colored, and made of the best wool, three- 
quarters yard wide, 5-y. per yard. 
Charcoal, delivered at the door of the buyer, 6d. per bushel. 
Flax, good and well-dressed, \zs. per pound. 
Hay, English, lod. per cwt. 

Horse-hire, horse and saddle, id. 6 far. per mile. 
Carpenter, house, $^d. per day. 
Farm Laborer, 51 d. per day. 
Oats, 25 d. per bushel. 
Staves, white-oak barrel-staves, 55 s. per thousand. 

Tallow, tried, 12 d. per pound. 
Shoes, men's best, 6s. per pair. 

Tailor's Work, 40 d. per day. 

Wood, good oak, delivered, gs. per cord. 

Wool, sheep's, of the best quality, 29 d. per pound. 

Teaming Work, at 10 d. per mile, for every ton's weight. 

Weaving, common shirting, at \d. per yard. 

Cider, good, 5 s. 10 d. per barrel (exclusive of the barrel). 

After the close of the Revolutionary War, the people 
being loaded with a heavy burden of taxation arising from 
the great expense of carrying on the fearful struggle, 
many who were willing to go to war with Great Britain, 
rather than submit to taxation without representation, were 
now willing to go to war with the government rather than 
pay their share of the expenses which the war had occa- 
sioned. In different parts of the State tumultuous crowds 
assembled, and obstructed the proceedings of courts and 
other legal bodies. Daniel Shays, who had been a captain 
in the Revolutionary War, was considered as the head of 
the insurgents : hence the movement took the name of 
" Shays' Insurrection." Troops were raised which quickly 
quelled the insurgents ; and conditional pardon was offered 
by the Legislature to all the rebels, of which most availed 
themselves. Fourteen were tried, and received sentence of 
death ; but were, one after another, finally pardoned. To 
suppress this rebellion, it is not known that any troops 
went from Boxford ; and the following extracts from the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 253 

instructions that the town gave to Mr. Nathan Andrews, 
the representative for that year, bearing date May 24, 
1787, is all that the public records of Boxford give concern- 
ing it : " We, your constituents, being chosen by the town 
of Boxford to instruct you, our representative, think it is 
our duty to declare our sentiments on the present alarming 
situation of public affairs. The transactions of the Gen- 
eral Court this year may possibly determine the fate of 
this State for many generations ; for now there is such a 
concurrence of alarming circumstances as our fathers 
never saw, each singly portending and all jointly conspir- 
ing the ruin of this State." "That you do your utmost to 
have the General Court removed out of Boston, to some 
convenient place in the country." " That you endeavor 
that all those that are termed insurgents have a free par- 
don, except those condemned, on supposition that they 
return to their several places of abode, and become peace- 
able subjects." "That all officers and soldiers raised in the 
winter past be dismissed, and put out of pay directly, as an 
armed force is dangerous to the liberties of a people in 
time of peace." 

After the death of Dr. Wood in 1744, the town appears 
to have been without a physician for a few years. As 
early as 1753, Dr. Benjamin Foster was practising the 
healing art here. He was born in Ipswich, Nov. 25, 1700, 
and was son of Benjamin and Ann Foster. He came to 
Boxford with his father about 1720, and married Lydia 
Burbank, Oct. 2, 1730, by whom he had several children. 
Jan. 1 7, 1 760, his wife died of the small-pox ; and he mar- 
ried, the following year, widow Sarah Low of Ipswich. 
He died of asthma, Dec. 19, 1775, at the age of seventy- 
five years. Felt, in his History of Ipswich, says of him : 
" He had been in the practice of his profession over fifty 
years, was a distinguished botanist, and a successful and 
skilful physician." Dr. Foster's residence was in the 
West Parish. 



254 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Dr. Foster was followed, as the physician of the town, 
by Dr. William Hale, about 1770. Dr. Hale was born in 
Boxford, Nov. 9, 1741, and was son of Thomas and Mary 
(Kimball) Hale. He married, (pub. Oct. 13, 1770), Anna, 
daughter of Elijah and Dorothy Porter of Topsfield. He 
erected the Sayward house, in which he took up his resi- 
dence at the time of his marriage. He died about 1785, 
leaving two young daughters, Elizabeth and Dorothy. His 
wife, who survived him, was again married, Capt. William 
Perley being her second husband. 

The next physician seems to have been Dr. George 
Whitefield Sawyer, who was born in Ipswich in 1770; 
married Polly Killam of Middleton, 1800; and subsequently 
settled in Boxford as a physician, on the farm now occu- 
pied by his son, Mr. Thomas Sawyer. He was acknowl- 
edged to be a good physician for the times ; and his 
natural bluntness of speech ofttimes amused his patients. 
After honoring his profession for many years by a life of 
integrity and trust, he died March 23, 1855, at the age of 
eighty-five years. 

The last settled physician in Boxford, and contemporary 
with Dr. Sawyer, was Dr. Josiah Bacon, son of William 
and Mary Bacon, who was doubtless a native of Bradford. 
He came here with his parents when quite young. He 
commenced the practice of his profession about 1820, and 
continued it about a score of years. 

Dr. Bacon, it is claimed, was a descendant of Lord 
Bacon, the distinguished philosopher and scholar of the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries ; and, by the heredit- 
amental law of Nature, the doctor received a large share 
of his ancestor's character and qualities. Lord Bacon was 
the most learned man of his day : so was the doctor skilled 
in many languages, and the practice of physic, besides 
being cultured in most branches of education, and he was 
acknowledged to be an excellent physician. But both 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 255 

their careers teach the moral lesson that the tree of knowl- 
edge is not the tree of life. Lord Bacon held the office of 
high chancellor, but showed himself morally unfit for it : 
the doctor, with a good practice, and winning an excellent 
reputation, was addicted to the use of strong drink, so that 
he could not attend to his duty, and therefore lost his 
practice, his reputation, and his character. The family to 
which he belonged is said to have been very aristocratic 
and wealthy. He built and resided in the house afterwards 
owned and occupied by the late Mr. Elbridge Perley. He 
died March 23, 1855, at the age of seventy years ; it is an 
uncommon coincidence, that Dr. Sawyer also passed away on 
the same day. His wife was for many years a housekeeper 
for Gen. Lowe ; and after the marriage of the general with 
Mrs. Merriam, Mrs. Bacon built, and till her death lived in, 
the cottage at the East Parish village, where her daughter 
Abbie recently died. A son — Edward — of the doctor 
still survives. John Bacon, so prominent in town-affairs 
half a century ago, was a brother of the doctor. John 
Bacon was the author of Bacon s Town-Officer, one of the 
earliest works of the kind. 

Dr. Sawyer getting to be aged, a young and unmarried 
physician, Charles P. French, came to Boxford, and secured 
board with the late Major William Lowe, and commenced 
practice in 1848. Dr. French was born in Lyndsborough, 
N. H., in 1824, and was son of Isaac P. and Clarissa B. 
French. Continuing here nearly two years, in 1849 he 
removed to Topsfield, and continued his professional prac- 
tice there. The following year he married Miss Mary S., 
daughter of Oliver T. and Sarah A. Peabody of Boxford, 
who died a few years since. Dr. French is still in practice, 
though not in this vicinity. He was much liked for his 
humorous disposition ; and his medical knowledge was 
deemed sufficient for good practice. 

To return to our schools. In 1791, Nov. 10, the town 



256 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

voted to divide itself into six districts, and to have a school- 
house built in each district, for which purpose six hundred 
pounds were raised. The Third and Sixth District school- 
houses were immediately erected ; that of the Fifth District, 
in 1797 ; and the remaining districts were supplied with 
the school houses that were then in use. 

The names of the heads of families contained in these 
six districts in 1791 are found on the town-records, which 
we transcribe, viz. : — 

First District. — Nathan Andrews, sen., Nathan An- 
drews, jun., Jacob Andrews, widow Ruth Curtis, John 
Dorman, Timothy Dorman, Solomon Gould, Stephen 
Gould, Capt. Jacob Gould, Jacob Gould, jun., Jacob Gould, 
3d, Samuel Gould, Cornelius Gould, John Killam, Asa 
Peabody, Samuel Peabody, Bimsley Peabody, Benjamin 
Perley, James Russell, Nathaniel Smith, Isaac Smith, John 
Stiles, Stephen Symonds, and widow Anna Williams. 

Second District. — James Andrews, Gideon Bixby, 
David Butman, Isaac Preston Durant, Jacob Dwinnell, 
Richard Foster, John Giddings, Benjamin Gould, Elisha 
Gould, widow Anna Hale, Edmund Herrick, Nathaniel 
Herrick, Rev. Elizur Holyoke, John Kimball, Samuel 
Kimball, David Kimball, Joshua Rea, William Rea, Asa 
Riggs, Moses Peabody, Simeon Stiles, Timothy Stiles, 
Joseph Symonds, and John Towne. 

Third District. — Daniel Chapman, John Dresser, 
Benjamin Emerson, Daniel Gould, John Herrick, Richard 
Peabody, Moses Perley, Nathan Perley, Capt. William Per- 
ley, Capt. Francis Perley, Moody Perley, Stephen Spofford, 
Jedediah Stickney, Jonas Warren, Nathan Wood, Moses 
Wood, Jonathan Wood, Solomon Wood, widow Mehitable 
Wood, widow Lydia Wood, and widow Margaret Wood. 

Fourth District. — John Blaisdell, Samuel Brown, 
Thomas Butman, John Butman, James Chute, Joseph 
Hale, Joseph Holden, Nathan Hood, Benjamin Hood, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 257 

Joshua Jackson, Nathan Low, Stephen Peabody, Jesse 
Perley, Major Asa Perley, Mr. Thomas Perley, Nathaniel 
Perley, Amos Perley, Henry Perley, Jacob Smith, John 
Smith, and Benjamin Spofford. 

Fifth District. — Capt. Isaac Adams, Enos Carleton, 
Lieut. Moses Carleton, Joseph Carleton, Samuel Chadwick, 
Moses Chadwick, Isaac Chadwick, Deacon John Chadwick, 
Capt. Jonathan Foster, Oliver Foster, Ephraim Foster, 
Reuben Gragg, Jeremiah Harriman, Amos Kimball, Enoch 
Kimball, Nathan Kimball, Moses Kimball, widow Sarah 
Kimball, John Palmer, Tyler Porter, widow Mary Porter, 
Mr. Moses Porter, Samuel Spofford, Parker Spofford, Amos 
Spofford, Daniel Swan, Ensign Gideon Tyler, John Tyler, 
Abraham Tyler, Broadstreet Tyler, and David Wood. 

Sixth District. — John Buckmaster, Samuel Carleton, 
sen., Samuel Carleton, jun., Obadiah Carleton, Thomas 
Chadwick, David Coburn, Samuel Cole, Simeon Cole, 
Lieut. Richard Head, Joseph Hovey, Capt. Ivory Hovey, 
widow Mehitable Hovey, Luke Hovey, Richard Hovey, 
John Hovey, David Kimball, widow Elizabeth Kimball, 
Stephen Merrill, William Parker, Richard Pearl, John 
Pearl, Lieut. Ebenezer Peabody, Daniel Peabody, William 
Porter, John Robinson, Esq., Lieut. Samuel Runnells, 
widow Hannah Runnells, Ensign Enos Runnells, Josiah 
Sessions, hairs of David Wood, Lemuel Wood, and 
Joseph Wood. 

The situation of the several schoolhouses at that time 
may not be uninteresting to our readers. The First-District 
schoolhouse stood a little west of the present building, 
on the same side of the street ; the Second, in the western 
corner of the late Deacon Palmer's house-lot; the Third, 
near the house of the late Edward Batchelder ; the Fourth 
stood a few rods nearer the junction of the two roads from 
where the schoolhouse of that district was lately removed, 
near the residence of Mr. William P. Cleaveland ; the Fifth 



258 * HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

stood near the junction of the two roads near the residence 
of the late Moses Kimball, on the northerly side of the 
way ; the Sixth stood a few rods west of the residence of the 
late venerable Benjamin Peabody, between the two roads. 
The after-history of these school-edifices is as follows : The 
First-District schoolhouse was supplanted by the present 
one in 1854; the Second, ditto, in 1845 ; the Third was 
sold when that and the Fourth Districts were united, in 
1869; and the Fourth was used as a schoolhouse until 
1 85 1, when it was sold to Mr. John Hale, who still uses it 
as an out-building, and a new one was erected a few rods 
in the rear of the old one. This occupied its site until 
1 869, when, as we have stated above, the Third and Fourth 
Districts were united, and this building was moved to its 
present position near Harmony Cemetery, which was a 
central place between the two districts. The Fifth stood 
on its original site until the district was discontinued, in 
1869, when the schoolhouse was sold to Capt. Samuel 
Kimball. The Sixth was removed to the site of the pres- 
ent schoolhouse. About 1840 a new district, called the 
Seventh District, was created, and a schoolhouse built, 
which is the one situated near the Second Church. 

During, and previous to, the period of which we are 
writing, but one session or term was held annually, proba- 
bly during the winter season. No regular system of study 
was followed, and the text-books used by the scholars were 
of various authorities. Previous to the year 1795 the se- 
lectmen hired the teachers, inspected the schools, and filled 
the office of school-committee generally. The extent of 
the branches taught is well represented in that well-known 
sentence, " to read, to write, and to cipher." English 
grammar was introduced into our schools about 1795, but 
was only used to a slight extent. 

In 1792, ,£60 was raised to support the schools for that 
year. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 259 

When the will of Hon. Aaron Wood was opened after 
his death in 1791, it was found that he had bequeathed to 
the town, for the support of a grammar-school, all the 
income of his house and other buildings, his real estate, 
&c. (it being the farm lately owned by C. C. Stevens), in 
the following words, viz. : " I give the improvement and 
income of my dwelling-house and all other buildings, and 
the improvement and income of all my lands in Boxford, to 
be used and improved for and towards the support of a 
grammar-school forever in the said town of Boxford. The 
manner of leasing out said premises I order to be under 
the care and direction of three deliberate persons chosen 
by the inhabitants of the said town of Boxford at a legal 
meeting for that purpose, and said committee to be chosen 
for so long time at each choice as the town shall think 
proper ; and, in case of the death or removal of any or 
either of said committee, then another or others, as the case 
may be, to be chosen at the next annual town-meeting. I 
give the use of my pew in the meeting-house to the same 
purpose as my real estate." 

In April, 1793, the town chose a committee, according to 
the provisions of the will, to take the care of and lease out 
the estate. The committee * consisted of Thomas Perley, 
jun., John Robinson, Esq., and Capt. Francis Perley, " three 
discreet persons," who immediately sold the leases (which 
ran for a thousand years) at auction, realizing from the sale 
$2,061.33. This sum yields an annual interest of $123.68, 

* The thanks of the town were voted to the committee May S, 1S26, in the 
following words, viz. : 

" Voted, That the thanks of the town be given to the committee appointed 
by the town to take the care and management of the donation devised to 
said town in the last will and testament of the Hon. Aaron Wood, for the 
use of a grammar-school in said town forever, that they have so wisely, 
faithfully, and carefully managed the proceeds of said donation, that the 
town has not experienced a cent's loss during thirty-four years, the time of 
their service in that capacity." 



260 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

which is applied to the support of ' the schools in the 
town. 

In consideration of the benevolence and usefulness of 
Mr. Wood, the town caused to be erected to his memory, 
at a cost of $78.53, a monument bearing the following 
inscription : — 

•Sacred 
to the memory of 
the Hon. Aaron Wood, Esq., who suddenly ex- 
pired on the twentieth of January, MDCCXCL, 
Etatis LXXI. 
He commenced a member of the 
General Court in MDCCLXII, and during 
the remainder of his life 
he enjoyed the confidence of his country, 
being employed in the 
House of Representatives, Senate, Council, & 
Conventions of the 
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
By a Devise in his last Will & Testament 
he left a valuable Estate 
toward supporting a Grammar School, forever, 
in the town of Boxford his native place. 
The inhabitants of Boxford in town meeting 

assembled, on the nineteenth of 

September, MDCCXCIII, to perpetuate this 

act of his benevolence have erected this 

Monument. 



Sept. 22, 1795, the first school-committee, whose duties 
were " to hire schoolmasters and dames, and to inspect the 
schools if thought proper," were chosen. This consisted 
of John Robinson, David Kimball, Jonathan Wood, Thomas 
Perley, Jonathan Foster, Enos Runnells, and Timothy 
Dorman. Heretofore the selectmen had performed these 
duties. 

At the end of the school-report which follows will be 
found the names of the school-committee for the succeed- 
ing year, 1796 : — 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 261 

" The committee appointed by the town of Boxford for attending 
to the business of the schools in the several districts beg leave to 
report that, since the rising generation have a just claim upon us to 
afford them all the opportunities and advantages which may be in our 
power, after deliberating impartially upon the subject, they are of 
opinion that it is a duty incumbent on us to provide for the instruction 
of our youth in those ways which will most directly lead to the desired 
end (viz.), the diffusion of knowledge and the promotion of virtue, and 
therefore have submitted the following articles for the consideration 
of the town. 

" 1st, That it is the duty of school-committees when employing 
masters or mistresses for instructing the youth in the several districts 
in this town to require satisfactory evidence of their being qualified 
for that purpose agreeable with law; also, that the selectmen be 
directed to give no orders for the payment of any instructors who 
shall not produce the evidence aforesaid. 

" 2d, That some regular system of instruction ought to be adopted 
in the schools, and that the scholars attending the same school ought 
to be furnished with the same kind of books, that the instructor may 
be enabled to divide his pupils into suitable classes. 

" 3d, When masters are engaged they should be required to open 
and close the exercises of their schools with prayer, which will assist 
in preserving order and good government in them, and also that they 
be desired to observe any particular mode of instruction which the 
committee and they shall judge will become most beneficial. 

"4th, That the committee shall visit the masters' schools twice 
annually (viz.), when they are opened, and previously to their being 
closed; on their first visit specimens of the writing, &c, of the schol- 
ars shall be lodged in the hands of the committee, and they shall take, 
so far as may be, an exact state of the schools, which will enable them 
to form a better judgment of the proficiency of the scholars at the 
closing visitation. 

" 5th, That it be recommended to the several instructors in those 
instances where scholars are tolerably forward, and can read with 
proficiency, to instruct them in English grammar, that they may be 
led into the principles of the English language. 

"6th, That it might have a beneficial tendency, should the town see 
it proper to advance a trifling sum (say one dollar for each district) 
to be laid out for books, and those to be given by the committee to 
the scholars who, in the judgment of the master, shall have made the 
greatest proficiency in several branches. 



262 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

" 7th, That it is the duty of every committee to report annually to 
the town the particular state of each school. 

" Peter Eaton, 
John Robinson, 
Samuel Holyoke, 
Thomas Perley, 
Francis Perley, 
Joseph Symonds. 

"BOXFORD, Oct. 31st, 1796." 

The town debt in 1793 was ^452. This continued at 
about the same amount for many years. In 1858 $500 
of the debt was paid; in 1859, $700; in i860, $500; and 
so on to the present time. The debt, now amounting to 
$5,095.44, is covered by notes and bonds and other secu- 
rities. 

July 19, 1799, the West Parish "voted that Instrumental 
Musick be Introduced into the meeting on Sundays." The 
people of color were also appointed a separate seat, in 
the gallery, where the)i could be clear (?) from the whiter 
population. 

July 17, 1792, a committee were appointed to make a 
report of the First Parish's funds. Their report states 
that the funds consisted of a State note of ^148 18 s. 5 d., 
dated Dec. 5, 1781, having three years and nine months 
interest paid, and miscellaneous bonds and notes amounting 
to ^99 i8.r. 1 1 d. 2 far., besides sums due on petty accounts 
to the amount of ^30 19.?. 1 1 d., and £10 us. lod. in 
cash ; amounting in the aggregate to ^290 gs. id. 2 far. 
These funds were combined with the First-Parish fund 
when it was originated in 1824. 

During these few years of which we have just been 
writing, various repairs on the meeting-house in the East 
Parish had been made from time to time. These repairs 
were generally to stop leaks, and fill up cracks where 
snow blew in in the winter, mend broken glass, patch the 
plastering, and to paint the meeting-house on the outside, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 263 

which was at the beginning of this century of a stone-color. 
The walls on the inside, from time to time, the parish 
voted to whitewash. There is only one instance of its 
being re-shingled, which was in 1785, at which time the fore- 
side and two ends were newly clapboarded, and the whole 
painted. 

In 1802 the West Parish presented Rev. Mr. Eaton the 
sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars gratuitously. 
In 1804 they built a shed and woodhouse for him. 

In 1799 tne Second Parish thought of putting in a stove 
to warm the meeting-house ; but nothing was done about it 
until 1824, when two stoves were purchased and set up. 
When this was done the people were very uneasy, fearing 
that the meeting-house would catch fire. 

Nov. 1 1, 1824, the East Parish voted to have a stove put 
into their meeting-house, for the " convenience and com- 
fort " of the inhabitants. The comfort which this afforded 
to the church-goers is too well known to need definition, 
but the convenience would perhaps not be so clear in the 
minds of the uninitiated. To make the language of this 
record clear, we would state that previous to this time, and 
even later, the people carried to meeting the old-fashioned 
foot-stoves. These were square tin boxes enclosed in an 
ornamental wooden frame, large enough to place both feet 
upon, in which the people placed hot glowing coals fresh 
from the hearth, when they started to meeting. When 
noon came their coals would emit no heat, and to obtain a 
fresh supply they would be compelled to borrow some 
more live coals from those people that lived near the 
"church. When the stove was placed in the meeting-house, 
the people found it much more convenient to fill their foot- 
stoves in the meeting-house. 

When the vote regarding the stove became known, the 
parish were surprised with the gift of an "elegant cast- 
iron stove and funnel." The donors were Solomon Towne, 



264 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Jeremiah Peabody, Jacob Peabody, Charles Scudder, Gil- 
man Prichard, Timothy Dorman, William G. Lambert, 
Elizur Holyoke, and Samuel Peabody, all of whom were of 
Boston. The stove was received, and placed in the aisle in 
the centre of the meeting-house. 

In early times most of the congregation stopped at the 
meeting-house all day. This gave rise to the " Sabba'-Day 
houses," which some of the wealthy families built for their 
convenience. They were sheds with another story above 
finished off into a tidy room where they could spend the 
noons. The shed beneath was used as a shelter for their 
horses. Whether any of these buildings were ever erected 
in Boxford, or not, we have never learned ; but they were 
in use at the Topsfield meeting-house when the Boxford 
people attended church there. 

The Essex Musical Association was an extensive organi- 
zation in its day ; and, as implied by the title, was composed 
of Essex-County vocal musicians. Several members be- 
longed to Boxford, some of whose names, and perhaps all, 
follow : Deacon Parker Spofford, Ensign Joseph Symonds, 
jun., and Mr. Stephen Kimball. Samuel Holyoke, the dis- 
tinguished composer, was prominent in this association ; 
and it was probably through his influence that their annual 
festival was several times held here. Sept. 3, 1798, the 
First Parish voted that they " may have the liberty of 
the galleries in the meeting house as may be convenient 
for them at their annual public exhibition." In the falls of 
1806 and 1807, we believe, the festivals were again held 
here. Shortly after this, the association died out. In their 
exhibitions, which continued through the day, the singers, 
numbering upwards of fifty, were arranged in the three 
galleries of the meeting-house, and the audience occupied 
the auditorium below. This was a gala-day to the people 
of Old Essex. Refreshment-booths were erected, wagons 
at whose tail-end refreshments of all kinds were sold were 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 265 

drawn up in order, and other things incident to such times 
were created ; and the people came in teams, on horseback, 
and on foot, from all sections of the county. Those who 
remember these festivals declare that the musical talent 
here congregated has rendered to Boxford a name and a 
fame that will enliven the annals of those dull old times. 

As we write, a copy of the Salem Gazette, of Jan. 3, 
1800, lies before us. A deep black border is placed upon 
the four pages, .find the reading-matter is entirely devoted 
to the death of George Washington. An assured belief in 
Washington's greatness and goodness, and praise and 
honor to his illustrious name, is the spirit of its columns. 
The actions taken by the highest legislative bodies of our 
National Government, letters from the leading men of the 
country, and miscellaneous articles of prose and verse, are 
congenial in their reverence of the departed President. 
Washington died at his home at Mount Vernon, in Vir- 
ginia, between eleven and twelve o'clock Saturday night, 
Dec. 14, 1799, at the age of sixty-seven years. On the 
anniversary of his next birthday, Feb. 22, 1800, Rev. Mr. 
Eaton delivered " a well adapted oration in commemoration 
of the sublime virtues of General George Washington." 
At the next annual town-meeting, a vote of thanks was 
tendered to him for the same by the town. 

In 1788 a tavern was in vogue in the West Parish, it 
being carried on by Lieut. Asa Merrill. In that year the 
militia company of that parish met at the tavern, and were 
reviewed. About the year 1 800 two taverns were flourish- 
ing in the town, one in each parish. The one in the West 
Parish was kept by Mr. Phineas Cole, at the Clement place. 
Mr. Cole soon afterward removed to Pelham, N. H., and 
instituted another tavern in that place. The tavern in the 
East Parish was kept at the late residence of Mr. Charles 
C. Stevens, near the " old camp-ground." As we have 
observed a few pages back, after Hon. Aaron Wood's 



266 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

death, the place was sold by lease to Deacon Parker Spof- 
ford. He refitted the old mansion, as far as need be, 
into a fine country tavern. This flourished until his death 
in 1836, and received during that time the commendation 
of the entertained. The first post-ofhce ever in town was 
'kept in this tavern until 1826, the mail being conveyed 
by the old stage-coaches. This was one of the stopping- 
places of the famous stage-driver Pinkham, whose route 
was over the old Andover road. The people living so far 
away from the post-office, a general distribution of the mail 
took place only on Sundays, when Mr. Spofford would 
carry the mail-matter to church, and deliver it to the various 
owners. A slow procedure, to be sure ; but the people 
of those days were not in so much haste as at the present. 
Mr. Elisha Bunker also kept a tavern, during the year 
1836, at the mansion now occupied by Mr. John I. Ladd, 
near the Second Church. He was succeeded, on his re- 
moval to the East Parish in 1837, by a Mr. Brown, who, 
however, retained the business there but a short time. 



CHAPTER XII. 

1800 - 1830. 

Rev. Mr. Holyoke's Death. — His Ministry and Life. — 
Rev. Isaac Briggs settled. — Powder-House. — Black- 
smiths in East Parish. — Cemetery near the First 
Church. — Private Cemetery. — Chadwick Bequest. — 
Grocery-Stores. — Match-Factory. — Militia. — War of 
1812. — Mind of the Town in regard to the War. — 
Events of the War. — Soldiers drafted. — 'First-Parish 
Fund founded. — Trouble in the First Religious Soci- 
ety. — Hearses, &c. — Day's Grist-Mill. — Porter's Mill. 
— Blacksmiths in West Parish in " Old Times." 

1^5^N February, 1793, Rev. Mr. Holyoke, pastor of the 
*H l^ff Fi rst Church, was prostrated by a paralytic shock, 
*(jA |i^j) which unfitted him for constant duty in the pulpit 
tzra^u^ during the rest of his life. During the following 
summer he preached but seldom. He grew more ill as the 
year advanced, so much so that he did not preach after 
the end of the year. Mr. Holyoke's salary was continued 
the same, and the same relations were regarded by both 
pastor and people, — in a pecuniary view, — though the 
parish hired other ministers to discourse to them on the 
sabbath. Sept. 1, 1793, Rev. Francis Quarles was hired 
to preach a few months. During the ensuing four years, 
various clergymen officiated in the pulpit ; some for a 
shorter, and some for a longer, time. 

On the 13th of October, 1797, a committee appointed by 
the parish went to Mr. Holyoke's house, and conversed 

267 



268 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

with him on the subject of his resigning the ministry, and 
having a new minister settled among them. Mr. Holyoke 
fully acquiesced with the desire of the parish, and also in 
their choice of the Rev. Nathaniel H. Fletcher as their 
pastor. During these four years of Mr. Holyoke' s illness, 
his regular salary continued to be paid to him. In 1798 a 
committee was appointed to offer to Mr. Holyoke an 
annual sum for his support during the remainder of his life, 
on condition that he resigned his office of pastor. The 
committee repaired to his house on the 6th of June, and 
made known to him the proposals of the parish, and pro- 
posed a conference on the subject at any time that would 
be most agreeable to him. Thursday, the 4th of July, 
being assigned by Mr. Holyoke, the committee waited 
upon him on that day ; but, Mr. Holyoke's infirmities 
being so much increased, he excused himself from taking a 
part in the conversation, which, thereby devolving upon his 
family, was chiefly conducted by his sons, who informed 
the committee -that, in various conversations with their 
father, they had become acquainted with his views and 
sentiments concerning the matter. The sons observed that 
their father was fully satisfied with the existing establish- 
ment, and did not on his account wish for any change 
of measures ; but that, if he agreed to any other arrange- 
ment, it would be to accommodate himself in some measure 
to the wishes of the parish ; and, conformable therewith, 
they had made calculations for finding the amount of the 
sum suitable to be received as an acquittance and discharge 
of his stated salary, and proposed fifteen hundred dollars 
as an acceptable sum. The committee observed that that 
sum was considerably beyond what any person in the par- 
ish had contemplated, and in their apprehension could not 
be agreed to. The family, in reply, said if the sum pro- 
posed was improper, the parish might mention what they 
would give. They described the debilitated state of Mr. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 269 

Holyoke as requiring much attention, care, and labor from 
the family, and consequent need of a support from the 
parish, of whom they spoke in terms of respect, and did 
not discover any aversion to attempting a settlement in the 
manner proposed, if the parish chose some person to con- 
duct the business on their part. They also said that Mr. 
Holyoke was desirous of retaining his ministerial relation 
to his people ; but, in case the parish could settle a minis- 
ter only by his resignation, he would relinquish his minis- 
terial relation, provided a council should advise thereto. 
The idea of making some deduction from the stated salary, 
while things continued on the present establishment, was 
proposed by the committee. In reply, the family said that, 
by the change of times since Mr. Holyoke's settlement 
over the parish, the salary was reduced almost one-half, 
and they did not see how they could do with less than 
the usual salary. After this conference with Mr. Holyoke's 
family, no further advances were made toward effecting 
the proposed settlement ; and the idea of having another 
minister settled among them while Mr. Holyoke was alive 
soon ceased to exist. But, contrary to appearances, Mr. 
Holyoke agreed, the following winter (1798-99), to take 
two hundred dollars, and ten cords of wood hauled to his 
door, as an annual sum of acquittance and discharge of 
his salary during the remainder of his life. During the 
remaining time that Rev. Mr. Holyoke lived he was out of 
doors but seldom, his paralytic complaint compelling him 
to undergo less exercise. 

After enduring his illness for thirteen years, Mr. Hol- 
yoke quietly died on Monday, March 31, 1806, at the age 
of seventy-four years and ten months. His wife, who had 
tenderly cared for her beloved husband, survived him little 
more than two years, dying Tuesday, Dec. 20, 1S08, at the 
age of seventy-two years. Their remains lie interred in 
the cemetery near the church, and the monument erected 



270 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

to his memory by the parish bears the following inscrip- 
tion : — 

" This Monument erected 

by the ist Parish in 

Boxford as a Testimony 

of Respect to the memory of 

the Rev. Elizur Holyoke, 

3d Pastor of the ist Church in 

this Town who died on 

the 31 of March 1806, 

^Etatis 75 & 47 of 

his Ministry. 



Lost to the world adieu ! our friend adieu ! 
Unblemished spirit, seek those realms of light, 
Where boundless Mercy only meets the view, 
Faith lost in wonder, Hope in full delight. 

Come ye, whose throbbing bosoms know to feel; 
Come, let me point you to the loosen'd sod; 
Behold the tomb, in humblest reverence kneel, 
Here learn humility, yourselves and God." 

Rev. Mr. Holyoke was born in Boston, May ir, 173 1. 

His father, Samuel Holyoke, born 1693, through Elizur3 
and Elizur 2 was a great-grandson of Edward Holyoke 1 of 
Tanworth in Warwickshire, Eng., who married, 18 June, 
16 1 2, Prudence, daughter of Rev. John Stockton, rector 
of Kinkolt, in Leicestershire. Edward Holyoke, brother 
of Samuel, and uncle of our minister, was the president of 
Harvard College for many years. Rev. Mr. Holyoke's 
mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph Brigham of 
Boston. 

Mr. Holyoke married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Oliver 
Peabody of Natick, Nov 13, 1760, the result of which union 
was eight children, — six sons and two daughters, viz.: 
Samuel, b. Aug. 5, 1761 ; d. Aug. 8, 1761. Samuel, b. 
Oct. 15, 1762 (see his biography). Elizur, b. Nov. 17, 
1764; d. about 1829. Elizabeth, b. May 28, 1767; d. 
Aug. 2, 1767. Oliver Peabody, b. April 14, 1769. Ed- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 271 

ward, b. Jan. 15, 1772; d. July r, 1846. Hannah, b. Oct. 
16, 1774; d. unm., Dec. 5, 1865, at the old homestead. 
Charles, b. Nov. ir, 1781. 

Mr. Holyoke first resided in the old house that formerly 
stood where the present Holyoke house now stands. 
After living in it two or three years, Mr. Holyoke' s 
father, a rich merchant of Boston, razed it to the ground, 
and erected the present house at a great cost. The old 
mansion is known far and wide as the " Old Holyoke 
Homestead." It is now owned and occupied by Mr. Elvin 
French, the well-known musical director. Decay is fast 
creeping upon it, and soon it will be numbered with the 
things of the past. To strangers the old place is a pecul- 
iar curiosity. They desire to frequent the old house, and 
examine its passages, halls, and numerous rooms, each 
containing some curious work of antiquity. Gazing at the 
relic, underneath whose shadows so many happy as well 
as sorrowful scenes have been enacted, whose clapboards 
and trimmings have been worn rough and thin by the 
beating of storms for more than a century, and looking 
upward at the gabled roof overgrown with moss, and 
hanging over it the distended and drooping boughs of 
the gigantic elms which stand around, surely it does not 
need a Hawthorne to place before the thoughtful man its 
unwritten history. It was owned and part of it occupied 
by Hannah, Rev. Mr. Holyoke's daughter, until her death, 
which occurred in 1865, Dec. 5. The rest of the house 
was tenanted by many different families, one of whom was 
that of Mr. Benjamin French, father of Elvin French, the 
present owner and occupier, who was born in the ancient 
dwelling. 

Regarding the old mansion, Mrs. M. L. Emerson, lately 
a resident of the town, who has written some excellent 
poetry, contributed the following lines to the Salem Ga- 
zette : — 



272 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

"'Neath sheltering elms the ancient dwelling stands, 
Where several highways socially clasp hands ; 
Its general air speaks of the ' auld lang syne,' 
And years have left their marks in many a line. 

" The moss-grown shingles, broken and decayed ; 
The loosened clapboards, where the winds have played ; 
The shattered window-panes, the door-stone low, — 
All tell the story of the long ago. 

" Within, what tales those mouldering walls could tell, 
If they could break their silence' mighty spell, — 
Of childhood, age, of happiness and tears, 
Of life and death, through all these hundred years ! 

" Old sunken floors, by many footsteps worn ; 
Paper once gay, but mildewed now and torn ; 
The embellished doorways, and the panelled hall, — 
The generations of the past recall. 

" Two antique portraits, older than we know, — 
Perchance were old a century ago, — 
Hang in the upper hall ; faint shadows they 
Of faces long since passed from earth away. 

" Up narrow winding attic-stairs we climb, 
To see the only gleam a bygone time 
Has left, of horror, in this lonely place, 
Which soon will crumble, and will leave no trace. 

" From a high beam there still suspends a rope, 
Where, years ago, some one bereft of hope 
Essayed to end her life ; but all in vain : 
Life's rugged pathway she must walk again. 

" A few brief years, and the old house no more 
Will stand a way-mark on Time's stormy shore ; 
And few will mourn, as few will ever prize 
These relics of the past, with all their teachings wise." 



When Mr. Holyoke was settled over the society here, he 
was but twenty-seven years of age, and unmarried. He 
had graduated at Harvard College in 1750, while yet in his 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 273 

teens. Where he had spent the intervening years, has not 
come to our notice. 

Few ministers or men have lived in a place so long, 
so quietly, and so happily, as Mr. Holyoke. The cords of 
harmony between him and his people were ever perfect, 
even to reverence and love. His ministry,* extending as 
it did through the period of forty-seven years, was very 
uncommon and unprecedented in the ecclesiastical history 
of New England. In 1765, to show their love and respect, 
the parish presented to him a small tract of land near to 
his residence. 

The cold "orthodox" air seems not to have found its 
way even among those where it would have been expected 
by others of a different denomination, who have always 
defined that class of ministers as haughty in their speech 
and manner, and restrained in showing the cords of love 
and affection. He seems to have departed from this 
rule, and sought and found shelter in a more friendly and 
unrestrained manner. 

During Mr. Holyoke's illness, miscellaneous clergymen 
were hired for a few sabbaths at a time. Principal among 
these were Revs. David Smith, Samuel Dana, Joseph 
Brown, and Henry Bigelow. 

In January, 1808, Rev. Ebenezer Hubbard of Ipswich 
was invited to settle over the First Church ; but he refused 
because of so small a salary, which he said " would be 
insufficient to enable him to live as he ought to." On the 
8th of the following August, the parish concurred with the 
church in inviting Rev. Isaac Briggs of York, Me., to settle 
here ; agreeing to give him four hundred dollars salary 
annually, and two hundred and fifty dollars as a settlement, 
to be paid in three months after his installation ; also, six 
cords of "good oak wood " annually, delivered at his door.f 

* Sixty-four persons were admitted to the church during his ministry. 
t He was to relinquish all claims to the income of the " Parsonage 
Lands," and money which might arise from leasing the same. 



274 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Rev. Mr. Briggs consented to settle with them by the 
following letter : — 

"To the First Church and Religious Society in Boxford : 

" My Christian Friends, — Whereas, He in whose hands are the 
hearts of all men, and who can turn them as the rivers of water are 
turned, hath in His all-wise providence inclined you unanimously to 
invite me, who am most unworthy, to the pastoral charge over you in 
the Lord, I do now return you my most grateful acknowledgment for 
the honor conferred on me in your election. 

" And with respect to the important affair proposed to my consider- 
ation : after serious inquiry as to what was my duty, and having con- 
sulted my friends and some of my fathers in the ministry, I do now 
with a trembling heart but a willing mind hereby manifest my accept- 
ance of your invitation, and offer to settle with you in the work of the 
Gospel ministry. And although I have thought it my duty to obtain 
such a maintenance as might free me from the necessity of encumber- 
ing myself too much with the things of this world, yet' I humbly trust 
I can truly say, that I principally seek, not yours, but you. May the 
Great Shepherd of Israel, who dwelleth between the cherubims, shine 
forth upon us all, uniting us with His light and love. I would like- 
wise, with the greatest importunity, ask an interest in your prayers at 
the throne of Divine Grace, that you would strive with me in your 
prayers to God for me, that I may be enabled to discharge with 
fidelity every duty incumbent upon me ; that I may both save myself 
and those that hear me. 

" May we all have abundant reason to rejoice together in peace and 
unity in this world, and be crowned with eternal glory in the world to 
come. 

" Isaac Briggs." 

The installation took place on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 
1808, with the following exercises : Introductory prayer 
by Rev. Mr. Briggs of Kittery, Me. ; preaching by Rev. 
Mr. French of North Hampton, N. H., from 2 Cor. vi. 4; 
charge to the pastor, by Rev. Mr. Stone of Reading ; prayer 
of consecration, by Rev. Asahel Huntingdon of Topsfield ; 
Rev. Mr. Eaton of the West Parish gave the right hand of 
fellowship ; and Rev. Mr. Chandler of Kittery, Me., made 
the concluding prayer. Samuel Holyoke, the noted com- 
poser, took charge of the music during the occasion. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 275 

In 1801, May 4, the town "voted to build a house to 
keep a stock of ammunition and military stores in." The 
"powder-house," as it was called, was situated on a piece 
of land, bought of Capt. Francis Perley, which is situated 
north of the late Third-District schoolhouse. It was built 
eight feet square, and seven feet and nine inches in height. 
The sides were of brick, and the roof of wood, with a 
double door to close the entrance. The cost of it was 
$132.41. The powder-house stood until 1856, when it was 
sold at auction in town-meeting, being bid off by Mr. 
Joseph H. Janes at $10.75. 

Thomas Dresser,* brother of Nathan, having learned the 
trade in his father's shop, purchased, in 1795, some land, a 
part of which is now included in the Savage place, on 
which he erected the Savage house, and across the road 
built a blacksmith's shop,f which business he continued to 
carry on until about 1800, when he removed to Andover, 
Me. It was then owned successively by Thomas Butman 
of Marblehead, and John Dorman of Boxford. In 181 3 
Dorman sold out to Phineas Barnes. Thomas W. Durant 
hired the shop of Butman, Dorman, and Barnes, succes- 
sively, until about 181 5, John Poor of Newbury, hiring it 
in May, 18 16. Poor stopped but a short time, being fol- 
lowed by James Patterson in August, 18 17. May 24, 18 19, 
Barnes let the shop to Fitch Weston and Amos Cowdrey. 
They continued in the business there until 1822, when, 
with the help of Amos Perley and others, Weston erected a 
shop, and commenced the business, near the residence of 
Mr. William P. Cleaveland. The old shop was demolished 
by Mr. Barnes in 1825. Weston continued to work at his 

* Thomas Dresser married Hannah Hazen, the celebrated witch of the 
neighborhood. She was daughter of Jacob and Abigail (Perley) Hazen, and 
was born in Boxford, July 3, 1764. 

t So we are told. But, from the town-records, we should judge that this 
was the shop in which John Stiles worked in 1774 and alter. 



276 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

trade in his new location for a few years. After he left 
town, Jacob Lofty, John Woodman, and others, carried on 
the business until about 1850, when the building was 
removed to a meadow of the late William N. Cleaveland, 
Esq., where it is yet standing, it being used as a storehouse 
for peat. 

At this time (1800) Samuel Peabody was the blacksmith 
at the East Parish village. His shop was located near the 
residence of Ancill Dorman, Esq. Mr. Peabody is remem- 
bered as a man of great strength and endurance. He died 
June 7, 1824, aged fifty-six years. About 1800, Capt. 
Joseph Symonds, who lived in Mr. C. Piersons' house, left 
off blacksmithing. His shop stood near by. 

In 1807, Asa Peabody presented to the public a lot of 
land near the First Church, to be used as a cemetery ; it 
being that which has ever since been used for that purpose. 
Mr. Peabody was the first person interred in it, as we are 
informed by his epitaph : — 

In memory of 

Mr. Asa Peabody, 

Obt. Oct. 19, 1S07, 

Aet. 67. 

Lived respected & died lamented. 
First interred & giver of this ground. 

In 1875 it was enlarged by the addition of a piece of ad- 
joining land given by Mr. John Say ward, who, by a strange 
coincidence, was the first one buried in the addition. 

There is a private cemetery situated on the banks of 
Ipswich River, near the residence of Mr. Thomas Sawyer. 
It has been used by the Curtises and Killams for more 
than half a century. 

In 1809 widow Sarah Chadwick, in her will, bequeathed 
two thousand dollars to the West Parish for the promotion 
of education. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 277 

John Dorman, who was living at the Savage place, — 
probably having purchased it of Thomas Dresser, on his 
removal to Andover, Me., about 1800, — worked at shoe- 
making across the road near the barn belonging to the late 
Amos Stevens, in a building of considerable dimensions. 
About 1 8 14 Samuel Stiles opened a store in one half of 
the buildings, and continued to make shoes with Dorman 
in the other part. About 1817 Stiles removed the build- 
ing to the Holyoke place at the village, and continued 
the business in that locality. In 1825 James Whittemore 
succeeded Stiles in the business. In 1826 Col. Charles 
Peabody bought and moved the building to the Sayward 
place (which had been previously owned by Capt. Tobijah 
Davis), and, having obtained the commission of postmaster, 
incorporated the post-office within its walls. On Col. Pea- 
body's removal to Barre, 111., in 1836, he sold out to Mr. 
Elisha G. Bunker, from Barnstead, N.H., who continued in 
the business, and also in the office of postmaster, until he 
removed from the town. Gamaliel Harris then owned it 
until it was burnt ; Osgood Dale having hired the store 
after Mr. Bunker had left. 

About 1790 iron-smelting was begun at the match-fac- 
tory ; Samuel (father of Capt. Samuel) and David Kimball, 
brothers, being a part of the proprietors. Ore was brought 
from the neighboring towns, as well as from our own lands, 
to be smelted, and no doubt quite a business was done. 
After 1805 we hear no more about it. 

The mill-site was next owned by Solomon Towne, who 
altered it into a grist-mill, his brothers Asa and John being 
millers successively. At the same time, two brothers by 
the name of Redington carried on, in another part of the 
mill-building, the manufacture of wooden trays, bowls, &c. ? 
and did various kinds of turning, such as hubs for wheels. 
Having entered into cotton-manufacturing, in the spring of 
1832, Mr. Towne sold out to George Blackburn, who let 



278 • HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the place to John Bentley, a cotton-manufacturer of York- 
shire, England, who removed the grist-mill, and began 
more extensively the manufacture of cotton yarn, wicking, 
and batting. Mr. Bentley lived in the house now occupied 
by Mr. Parkhurst. He employed some fifteen or twenty 
hands in the mill, a number of them being Englishmen, 
and, as we have been told, hired some of the neighbors to 
wind the yarn and wicking by some simple appliance at 
their homes. The business was carried on until a few 
years before Mr. Bentley's death, which occurred Feb. 13, 
1864, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was a native 
of Yorkshire, England, and was son of John and Mary 
Bentley. 

The building and machinery remained as they were until 
Messrs. Byam & Carlton purchased the property in the 
summer of 1867, of Mr. Blackburn, who still possessed it. 
The machinery was taken out, and the old building removed 
to give place to the spacious factory-building within whose 
walls so many matches are daily turned out. The company 
immediately set up their match-machinery, and did their 
first day's work Sept. 2, 1867. Their first foreman was 
N. E., Harris. He was followed in the fall of 1868 by 

Whittemore ; and Mr. Whittemore, May 1, 1869, by 

Mr. John Parkhurst, who still retains the position. 

The number of hands requisite to run the machinery, 
&c, is twenty. Their method of match-manufacturing is 
as follows : The logs are taken into the mill, and the clear 
timber between the knots carefully cut out, which process 
is termed " bolting!' The knots and other refuse are used 
in feeding the large thirty-horse-power steam-engine. These 
junks, thus cut out, are then sawn into two-inch, round- 
edged plank. This is called "planking." These plank are 
passed to the ''trimmer," whose business it is to square- 
edge them. The plank are then carried to the steam-house, 
when, after being thoroughly " steamed" they are taken 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 279 

out and "slashed" that is, cut up into thin boards two 
inches wide, and of the thickness of a match. They are 
then conveyed to the dry-house to be " dried'' after which 
they are carried to the "gang-machines" three in number, 
at which two employees work, — one to saw the matches 
with the gang-saws, and the other to pack them in boxes 
as fast as they are sawn. These boxes contain ten or 
fifteen gross each, and are conveyed by rail to Boston to 
be "dipped" preparatory to offering them for sale. About 
350 gross, or about 5,000,000 single matches, are turned 
out per day, and some 1,800 tons of timber consumed 
annually. The company have some $30,000 invested 
in the business, and turn out about $40,000 worth of 
goods annually. A saw-mill is also in connection with it, 
and also box-machinery to manufacture boxes for their own 
use, and for sale. 

In the beginning of the nineteenth century the militia- 
companies drilled twice a year; viz., April and October. 
During the October training, the regiment met together 
for regimental inspection, and were reviewed by the gen- 
eral. Oct. 17, 1810, and Oct. 7 and 9, 181 1, they were 
reviewed by Gen. Peabody of Newburyport. 

The equipment of the militia was as follows, viz. : one 
musket, one bayonet, one iron rod, one scabbard and 
belt, three flints, one wire and brush, one knapsack, and 
twenty-four rounds of cartridges and balls. For being 
deficient of a cartridge-box and cartridges, the fine was 
thirty cents ; for not training, two dollars. 

The Boxford companies formed a part of the Third 
Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division (of which 
Benjamin Jenkins was lieutenant-colonel commandant), of 
the State militia. 

From the beginning of the decade of time of which we 
are writing, England began to be hostile with the United 
States. American ships abroad suffered considerably by 



280 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the British men-of-war that were sent out for that purpose. 
At last events terminated in an open declaration of war 
in June, 1812. 

The West Parish company of foot, in 1812, consisted 
of the following men., viz : Captain, John Tyler ; Fifcrs, 
Charles Kimball, William Runnells ; Drummers, Jacob 
Parker, John Merrill ; Sergeants, Samuel Clement, Frederic 
Carleton, Gardner Ames, Isaac Hovey ; Privates, Daniel 
Adams, Billy Bradstreet, John Bacon, John B. Buckmas- 
ter, Edmund Barker, Richard Carleton, Leonard Carleton, 
James Coburn, William M. Coburn, Samuel Cree, Dan- 
iel Currier, Henry Clement, John Day, Nathan Dresser, 
Jeremiah Harriman, Daniel Harriman, Thomas Hovey, 
Benjamin Herrick, Micaiah Kimball, Benjamin Kimball, 
Moody Kimball, John Kimball, jun., Peter Pearl, Jonathan 
Porter, Stephen Porter, James Pettingill, Rufus Porter, 
Abraham Peabody, jun., Jonas Runnells, Eliphalet Run- 
nells, Samuel S. Runnells, William Ross, John Ross, John 
Runnells, Thomas Spofford, Francis Swan, William Tyler, 
Joseph S. Tyler, Joseph Wood, Daniel Wood * (49). 

Before war had been declared, pursuant to an Act of 
Congress of April 10, 181 2, men were drafted to guard 
the seaports all along the coast, as it was expected that 
England would again commit her depredations upon our 
Atlantic ports. 

Pursuant to an order from the lieutenant-colonel com- 
mandant, the company met at the West Parish meeting- 
house on Monday, May 25, and the following soldiers were 
drafted, viz. : Frederic Carleton, sergeant ; and Billy Brad- 
street, Leonard Carleton, Henry Clement, Benjamin Pearl, 
Rufus Porter, Moses Ross, and Joseph S. Tyler, privates. 

As soon as war was declared with Great Britain, the 
inhabitants of Boxford came together at a town-meeting 

* Daniel Wood is the only one now living of this company. He resides 
in the West Parish, and enjoys good health. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 281 

appointed for that purpose, and chose a committee, which 

consisted of Thomas Perley, Parker Spofford, Jacob Gould, 

Ebenezer Peabody, and Jonathan Foster, jun., to take into 

consideration the condition of affairs with Great Britain. 

The committee accordingly retired, and made out their 

report (which is inserted below), which was accepted by 

the town. It will be seen, on perusing the report, that 

the town greatly blamed the United States for doing as 

they did. 

REPORT. 

" The committee appointed to take into consideration the present 
alarming situation of our country in consequence of the late Declara- 
tion of War by our Government with Great Britain, to express their 
minds on the subject, and to adopt such measures as will be thought 
fit and proper to avert so dreadful a calamity, viewing with inexpressi- 
ble anxiety the awful situation of our country by the measures and 
declarations of the Government now involved in the calamities of 
war, and exposed to all the numerous train of evils inevitably resulting 
therefrom: 

"In this situation it highly becomes good men and lovers of their 
country to consider and perform their duty to the Government. Under 
these apprehensions the following resolves are submitted, viz. : — 

" Resolved, that as citizens of a free Government we consider it to 
be our duty, and that we will support all constitutional laws and 
authorities of the United States and this Commonwealth, and being 
orderly assembled according to the provision of the Constitution, to 
consult on the common good of our country, are constrained to say, 
that when the United States were in a state of neutrality and at 
peace with all nations, for a series of years under the late and present 
administrations, under fearful apprehensions we have seen the Gov- 
ernment of the United States proceeding in a course of measures 
of aversion and irritation with one powerful nation, and of com- 
plaisance and submission to another powerful nation. In the prose- 
cution of such measures we consider the Government to have lost 
sight of, or to have disregarded, the best interests of the people, 
who by the late acts of the Government are now become exposed to 
all the horrors of war, and a numerous train of evils which will follow 
from a continued war with the power of Great Britain, and must 
result in the greatest of all evils, an alliance with, and subjugation to, 
the Emperor of France. 



282 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

" Resolved, that we cannot see any just cause of this war : it will be 
destructive to the prosperity, the happiness, and the morals of the 
people ; and if proceeded in we have reason to fear the loss of 
much blood and treasure, together with our national rights and inde- 
pendence. 

" Resolved, that we admire the late speech of his excellency, Caleb 
Strong, to the Legislature, replete with wisdom and with moderation. 

"Resolved, that we highly approve of the address of the House 
of Representatives to the people of Massachusetts, clearly pointing 
out to them their danger, the causes of their sufferings, and their 
remedy. 

"Resolved, that in this deplorable situation of our public concerns, 
we will endeavor to cultivate a spirit of amity among ourselves ; and, 
being of opinion that a unity of sentiment expressed by towns and 
counties is become necessary, this town will, on their part, appoint a 
delegate to meet, deliberate, and advise with the delegates that are or 
may be chosen for that purpose by the other towns in the county of 
Essex." 

Not much was accomplished during the campaign of 
1812, by the army of thirteen thousand men which had 
been raised by the Government, although the British could 
scarcely muster three thousand men on their whole line 
from west to east. 

The next spring opened with the capture of York, in 
Canada, now called by its original Indian name, Toronto ; 
and again, on the 27th of May, Fort George was taken by 
the Americans. These, with several other victories on the 
water, among which may be mentioned Perry's victory on 
Lake Erie, made the season quite successful to the United 
States. 

In 1 8 14 Congress made provision for raising more men 
for the army. In the month of July orders were received 
by the West Boxford military company to detach a ser- 
geant and a private from their company : accordingly Dean 
Chadwick and Eliphalet Runnells were drafted, — Dean 
Chadwick being appointed sergeant. The East Boxford 
company also received orders to draft two men to serve in 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 283 

the arrriy : Oliver Wood and Jacob Dresser were according- 
ly drafted. They were to serve for three months, and were 
ordered to march on Monday, the first day of August 
following. In the following September eight more were 
drafted for the service of the State. Their names are as 
follows, viz. : Francis Swan, Daniel Mitchel, Moody Kim- 
ball, and Stephen Pike, from the West Boxford company ; 
and Joseph S. Peabody, Francis Peabody, John Perley, and 
Abraham How, from the East Boxford company. They 
were ordered to march to Beverly as soon as possible. 
The late Capt. Aaron Spofford was also a soldier in this 
war. He was at work, farming, in Andover, when he was 
drafted. In 1878 the government granted him a pension. 

The following were a part of the East Boxford " company 
of foot" in 1814, viz. : Abraham Perley, captain ; Charles 
Peabody, lieutenant ; Josiah Kimball, ensign ; Oliver Wood, 
Joseph Foster, Tobias Davis, Abraham How, Nathan 
Dresser, Seth Burnham, Samuel Perley, Jacob Dresser, 
Henry Perley, Jonas Foster, Jacob Gould, Samuel Perley, 
jun., Joseph Towne, Joseph S. Peabody, Francis Peabody, 
John Perley, Francis Perley, and Timothy F. Stevens, 
privates. Moody Foster and Nathaniel Long belonged to 
it in 1 81 5 ; Asa Perley, Daniel Andrews, Asa Stiles, Daniel 
Gould, jun, Artemas Kimball, and Ancill Perley, in 1816; 
Oliver Killam, Samuel Bixby, Joseph P. Gould, John Gould, 
Peabody Russell, Oliver T. Peabody, and Joseph Daniels, 
in 1817. 

Oct. 14, 18 1 3, the militia met near Parker's Tavern in 
Andover, and were reviewed by Gen. Stickney of New- 
bury. Sept. 29, 1 8 14, they were inspected by Gen. Stick- 
ney and suite. Oct. 18, 18 14, the two companies, with 
Capt. Brocklebank's company from Georgetown, met at 
Rufus Burnham's (the Batchelder place), where they were 
trained in battalion by Col. Low. 

Oct. 12, 181 5, the West Boxford company, then com- 



284 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

manded by Amos Kimball, together with the East Boxford 
company, met with their regiment, which was then com- 
manded by Lieut.-Col. Commandant Low, at the camp- 
ground near the late residence of C. C. Stevens, and joined 
the rest of the brigade, and were inspected by Major Scott 
of Newburyport. 

Oct. 9, 1816, the regiment met, and were inspected by 
Col. Low. Oct. 9, 18 1 7, the regiment met at the meeting- 
house in Georgetown, marched to Byfield, and joined the 
brigade, where they were inspected by Major Scott, and re- 
viewed by Gov. John Brooks and suite. Oct. 16, 181 8, the 
regiment met, and was inspected by Brig.-Major Scott of 
Newburyport, and reviewed by Major-Gen. Hovey. Oct. 
7, 1 8 19, the regiment was inspected by Major Scott. Oct. 
5, 1 82 1, the brigade met at Bradford, and were inspected 
by Brig.-Major Scott, and reviewed by Major-Gen. Stick- 
ney. Oct. 8, 1822, the regiment met, and were inspected 
by Brig.-Major Scott, and reviewed by Brig.-Gen. Low. 
Oct. 9, 1823, the brigade met at Eliphalet Chaplin's in 
Georgetown, and were inspected by Brig.-Major Low and 
Major-Gen. Stickney. Oct. 5, 1824, the regiment met in 
Andover, and were inspected by Brig.-Major Scott, and 
reviewed by Brig.-Gen. Low. Oct. 4, 1825, the brigade 
met at Eliphalet Chaplin's in Georgetown, and were in- 
spected by Brigade-Inspector Joseph L. Low, and reviewed 
by Major-Gen. Stickney. Oct. 1, 1827, the brigade met in 
the West Parish in Bradford, and were inspected and re- 
viewed as in 1825. Oct. 6, 1828, inspected by Major Low. 
Oct. 6, 1829, inspected by Major Parish. Oct. 3, 1830, met 
at John Poor's in Andover, and were inspected by Daniel 
Parish, and reviewed by Gen. Solomon Low. Oct. 1 1, 1831, 
and Oct. 9, 1832, met in Bradford, and were inspected and 
reviewed as above. Oct. 2, 1833, met at the West Parish 
meeting-house in Bradford, where they were inspected by 
Major Stickney, and reviewed by Gen. Solomon Low. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 285 

Thus we have chronicled the historic days upon which 
the militia met, and passed the grand review. The mem- 
bers of these companies have nearly all passed over the 
river, and joined those gone before around the camp-fire in 
another world. Many are the anecdotes we have listened 
to regarding the training-days of our fathers ; many are 
the times they have related the stories of their "heroic" 
sham-fights ; but ever-hurrying time bids us advance, and 
so we must pass onward to new scenes and later days. 

Not much was done by Boxford to aid the government 
in carrying on the war of 1812, because of its unpopularity. 
The people believed that the several embargo acts passed 
by the government of the United States were uncalled-for 
and unnecessary, and that England had been compelled 
to make the declaration of war. They held " that the 
uniform system of restrictions and vexations upon our 
commerce, adopted and obstinately pursued in by our own 
government, their contemptuous rejection of every applica- 
tion of relief by the injured citizen, together with a base 
and dishonorable submission to the most wanton, unpro- 
voked, and piratical outrage committed on our commerce 
by France, could not be reconciled by a declaration of war 
against Great Britain, as a friendly design to rescue and 
protect our commerce from British depredations, especially 
whilst that government, in their negotiations with the 
American »government, continued to express friendly dis- 
positions, and a strong desire that all differences existing 
between the two governments might be amicably adjusted." 
The war continued for a few years, though in a mild form. 
A treaty was signed at Ghent, Dec. 14, 18 14, though a 
number of battles were fought afterwards, because of the 
armies being ignorant of the existence of the treaty. The 
most important of these was fought at New Orleans, La., 
Jan. 8, 18 15. The return of peace was hailed with great 
joy. 



286 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

For several years from 1818, the First Church was in a 
state of disunion, caused by a private disagreement be- 
tween some of the members. The injured members left 
the church, and erected a quite extensive building near the 
meeting-house, in which they had preaching. 

This building had been built two stories in height, and 
the second story was fitted up with settees for a school or 
lecture room. In 1826 Major Jacob Peabody, a merchant 
of Boston and a native of Boxford, was instrumental in turn- 
ing it into an academy, which flourished for two or three 
years in a marked degree. The first teacher was Professor 
Leavenworth, who was followed by Pratt, Wyatt, and one 
or two others. Some fifty scholars were in attendance. 
Preaching was carried on on Sundays, sometimes by the 
professors of the school, and by other " reverend gentle- 
men," among whom was one Robertson. They were very 
liberal in their preaching, — their sermons partaking of the 
Universalist, and, sometimes, of the Unitarian, belief. The 
feeling existed for a few years only, and Parson Briggs' 
sermons were again heard by the offended. The school- 
building was afterwards occupied as a dwelling-house by 
Major William Low and Mr. William G. Todd, and was 
ultimately burnt on the night of Dec. 26, 1867. 

By this reduction of the number of members of the 
church, the minister's salary was hard to be obtained, and 
the church was in great danger of an entire dissolution. 
In this extremity they received a communication from 
Enoch Perley of Bridgton, Me., expressing his good-will 
to the people of this his native place, and offering one 
hundred dollars towards establishing a fund "to secure the 
permanent enjoyment of the preaching of the gospel here." 
After passing through such a trial as they had recently 
done, they immediately concurred in his views, and re- 
ceived the said amount through the hands of Thomas Per- 
ley, Esq., who had been authorized to pay it. In acknovvl- 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 287 

edgment of Mr. Perley's generosity the parish voted, " that 
they receive with becoming emotions the pious and liberal 
communication of the above named Enoch Perley, Esq. 
And when by various unfriendly occurrences it had be- 
come expedient to make extraordinary efforts to retain our 
existence as a religious society, by attempting to establish 
a fund for the support of the ministry, in this situation 
every aid seems to come with increased value ; and the 
truly helping hand, extended in this instance for our en- 
couragement by one born and brought up with us, demands 
and receives our grateful acknowledgment ; and we hereby 
wish to assure our generous benefactor that, although we 
are few in number, we continue to entertain a comfortable 
hope that by the blessing of God the institution of religion 
here established by our pious ancestors may be long 
enjoyed and blessed to us, their unworthy descendants." 

A subscription-paper was circulated among the inhabit- 
ants of the parish, with excellent results. The following is 
a copy of the paper, and a list of the several subscrip- 
tions : — 

"East Boxford, Sept. 20, 1824. 
" We, the subscribers, in some measure sensible of the importance 
of the preaching of the gospel, to promote the present peace and 
future happiness of mankind, and to continue this inestimable bless- 
ing with us, we agree and promise to give the respective sums to our 
names annexed, to bear interest annually, from the first day of Novem- 
ber next ensuing, to be secured by promissory notes with sufficient 
securities, one tenth part of the sum by each person subscribed to be 
paid in one year, and the remainder at nine equal annual payments, 
the interest on the whole sum to be paid annually, and to be applied 
towards paying the salary of Rev. Isaac Briggs, conformable to the 
conditions of his settlement in the First Parish in Boxford ; and after 
his decease, or removal from his ministerial relation to the parish, 
the annual interest of the sums hereby subscribed shall forever be 
paid and applied towards the support of a learned, pious, Trinitarian 
Congregational minister, settled in the said parish, with the concur- 
rence of the church and congregation composing the said parish. 
During all vacancies of a settled minister, in manner aforesaid, the 



288 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



annual interest arising in such vacancies shall be applied towards 
increasing the fund, till thereby, or by other means, the principal shall 
amount to $ 10,000. 

"The sums to our names hereafter annexed we severally agree 
to secure and pay in manner and for the purpose aforesaid, provided 
the whole of the sum so subscribed and secured shall amount to 
$3,500, and not otherwise ; and also, provided that the said parish 
shall within one year next ensuing obtain from the General Court an 
Act empowering them to appoint three suitable trustees, to receive, 
manage, and improve the same, and to apply the interest in manner 
aforesaid. And it is further provided, that whenever any part of the 
principal or interest of the sums hereby subscribed and secured shall 
be diverted and applied to any other than the purposes aforesaid, then 
the sums subscribed by each individual shall revert to them, and be 
recoverable by them, their heirs, executors, and administrators. 



" Thomas Perley 


. #1,050 


Joseph Smith 


. #25 


Aaron Perley 


500 


John Gould 


25 


John Sawyer 


125 


Oliver T. Peabody 


2 5 


Daniel Gould 


100 


Amos Perley . 


20 


Parker Spofford 


100 


Betsey Foster . 


20 


Oliver Peabody . 


100 


Anna Herrick 


20 


Josiah Kimball 


100 


Artemas W. Perley . 


20 


Samuel Peabody 


100 


Joseph Foster 


20 


William H. Herrick 


100 


Daniel Gould, jun. . 


'5 


Asa Perley, jun. 


100 


Charles Peabody 


10 


Ancill Stickney 


100 


Ruth Trask 


10 


Samuel Kimball, jun. 


100 


John Stiles 


10 


Isaac Briggs . 


100 


Charles Perley . 


10 


Enoch Perley . 


100 


Henry Perley . 


5 


Francis Curtis 


90 


John Hale .... 


5 


Jacob Peabody* 


90 


Daniel Chapman 


5 


Moses Dorman 


70 


Zaccheus Gould 


3 


Oliver Killam . 


55 


Thomas R. Chadwick 


2 


Jacob Gould . 


50 








Nathan Dresser . 


50 


Total .... 


#3,400." 


Samuel Killam 


50 







Thus the parish fund came into existence. In less than 
two years after, by gifts, &c., it had increased to $5,074.93. 
In 1834 it amounted to $5,585.86; in 1840, to $6,149.17; 



* This is a part of the original subscription of Charles Peabody, paid by 
his brother Jacob. — Parish Clerk. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 289 

in 1865, to $7, in ; and in 1870 it had amounted to 
$7,772,* at which sum it has continued ever since. 

The first hearse in town was purchased by the West 
Parish in 1821, and Daniel Harriman was appointed sex- 
ton. He was to have $2.35 for attending each funeral, and 
digging the grave, — payable by the family of the deceased. 
In 1823 Peter Pearl was chosen sexton, and, with the ex- 
ception of the succeeding year, held the office until within 
a few years. The hearse of the East Parish was procured 
about a score of years later. It was little used, because 
of its ancient style, for several years before it was sold 
at auction, — house and harness included, — a few years 
since. A new hearse was procured some years since by 
the West Parish ; and the old one, it was recently voted, 
not to sell, but to destroy. 

About 1830 Deacon Joshua T. Day of Bradford married 
and settled in Boxford. He built the house in which he 
resided, and about 1844 erected the grist-mill that is situ- 
ated near his late residence. The mill has been kept in 
running order ever since, although for the past few years 
it has remained idle. About 1S52 some box-machinery 
was inserted, and box-boards were sawn out. The old 
building bears an antiquated look ; but we are informed 
it is to be renovated, and the whir of the millstones are 
to be again heard 

"Through the meadows soft and low." 

In 1836 Capt. Jonathan J. Porter erected his present 
mill-building as a carpenter's shop. About three years 
later he placed a dam across the brook, flowed the meadow 
above, and founded a grist-mill in his shop; in 1857 he 
made some improvements in the mill in the wheels, &c. 

* In 1S69 the parish received $200 from the estate of Miss Mai}- Kimball, 
and $94 from the estate of Miss Caroline E. Peabody, both then deceased. 
The amount arising from leasing the "minister's farm" was also probably 
added: this amounted to some $1,500. 



290 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

In 1 84 1 he also added a saw-mill, which is still doing 
service in connection with the grist-mill. In another 
department of the mill-building Mr. Porter incorporated 
a kind of repair-shop, with requisite machinery, that was 
adequate to the wants of a " jack-at-all-trades." Some of 
his original appliances are proof of considerable skill in 
the art of mechanical invention. 

After Thomas W. Durant was done blacksmithing in the 
East Parish, in 18 15, he removed to the West Parish, and 
opened a blacksmith's shop in what is now Mr. William E. 
Perley's front-yard. The late Moses Kimball bought out 
Mr. Durant on his removal to Canada in 1828, and hired 
Mr. Robert B. Anderson of Salem, N.H., a blacksmith, to 
teach him the trade. Mr. Anderson worked for Mr. Kim- 
ball until about 1845, when he (Anderson) built a shop for 
himself near his residence, and continued to work at his 
trade in this new locality until about 1874. When Mr. 
Anderson built his shop, Mr. Kimball sold out to Benjamin 
Woodbury from Londonderry, N.H., who, after carrying on 
the business till 1862, died. The place was then sold to 
John Harriman, who removed the shop, and erected Mr. 
Perley's residence. 

In 1825 the question of founding a new county out of the 
northern part of Essex County, to be called the County 
of Merrimac, was agitated. April 3, 1826, the mind of the 
town regarding this idea was obtained in town-meeting, — 
the result being a unanimous negative vote. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

1 83 0-1860. 

Attainments of our Ancestors. — Foster's Bequest. — School 
Fund. — Rev. Mr. Briggs' Offer. — His Dismission, Minis- 
try, and Life. — Rev. John Whitney settled. — His Dis- 
mission, Ministry, and Life. — Present East-Parish Church 
erected. — Rev. William S. Coggin settled. — Foster's be- 
quest to Second Church. — Present West-Parish Church 
erected. — Dr. Eaton is refused Dismission, and Rev. 
Calvin E. Park installed as his Colleague. — Dr. Eaton's 
Death, Ministry, and Life. — Covenant of Second Church. 
— New Cemetery in West Parish. — Howe's Grocery. — 
Shoe-manufacturing. — Militia. — " Boxford Washington 
Guards." — The Railroad. — Almshouse. — Land set on 
and off. — Schools and Education. 

^p^c^ROM the scanty written remains — but still more 
y? £=i£<3 from what we have learned of the doings and 
y) y rj achievements — of those whom these places once 
Os^x^Aj 'k neW) we can form only a favorable opinion of 
their mental qualities. Their spelling and syntax might 
not always conform to rule, — at least to our rule, — but 
they knew what they meant to say, and they said it. Their 
phraseology was often quaint, but it was not often senseless 
or impertinent. If they talked but little, we may feel 
sure that they talked quite as much to the purpose as the 
more ambitious and long-winded orators of the present day. 
The erection of the small and rude red structures of the 
time of which we are writing, in which the generation 

anterior to our own obtained what little book-learning they 

291 



292 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

had the honor of possessing, though seeming very old- 
fashioned and primitive to us, was nevertheless a grand 
stride toward the educational privileges which are now 
enjoyed by the youth. Our ancestors had too many things 
to contend with to give themselves much culture in the 
literary or scientific world ; and it is no reproach, but high 
praise, to say — as we must say of multitudes then — that 
the extent of their attainments scarcely exceeded that of 
the humble cottager, who, we are told, 

"Just knew — and knew no more — her Bible true." 

In addition to those bequests already mentioned, Eph- 
raim Foster, Esq., bequeathed to the West Parish, in his 
will, dated Jan. 3, 1835, fifteen hundred dollars to the 
schools of that parish — the income of said amount to be 
applied to paying the several teachers in that parish. The 
money was placed in the hands of trustees, and the interest 
arising from the same has been paid to the present time. 
The school fund of the town as contained in the several 
bequests now amounts to $3,467.59, and consists of the 
following items: Wood fund, $2,186.95; surplus revenue, 
$1,029.64 ; Foster fund, $176 ; Kimball fund, $75 ; having 
an income of six per cent, which amounted for the year 
1878 to $208.05. 

Rev. Mr. Briggs continued in the ministry in -the East 
Parish until 1833, a period of twenty-five years, during 
which time thirty-four persons had been admitted to the 
church. As we have noticed a few pages back, the parish 
had been struggling to support their minister. In March, 
1833, but a short time prior to his dismission, to ease their 
burden Mr. Briggs entered into the conditions contained 
in the following letter : — 

" To the Members of the First Parish in Boxford. 

" My Dear Friends, — With you I have spent a large part of my 
days in peace and harmony — have been a sharer in your joys and in 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 293 

your afflictions. I have been afflicted — I believe that my joy has 
been the joy of you all. Never (till the cold clod shall lie heavy on 
my breast) shall I forget your uniform attention and kindness, and the 
kindness of all this people to me and my family, especially in scenes 
of trial and affliction. If I know my own heart, I have endeavored to 
promote your spiritual and temporal interest. Being informed that, 
notwithstanding liberal donations have been made for my support, 
your parish taxes are still high, I hereby express my desire that no 
tax for the present year be laid upon this people for my support. I 
shall make no other demand than the annual interest of the parish 
funds for my salary. Whatever may be given by free and willing 
subscription, I hope I shall gratefully receive. 
"Your friend, &c. 

" Isaac Briggs. 

"Boxford, March 25, 1833." 

The reasons of Mr. Briggs' leaving Boxford have been 
many, and most of them ambiguously got up. For fifteen 
years previous to this time, the parish had been completely 
mixed up in matters pertaining to the conducting of the 
church affairs, and the probability is that Mr. Briggs was 
also mixed up in it. It does not become us to mention the 
origin of this derangement. 

Rev. Mr. Briggs was born at Halifax, Mass., about 1775, 
and graduated at Brown University in 1795. He was first 
settled over the church in York, Me., where his stay was 
brief. He resigned in 1807, and in the following year was 
settled over the First Church in Boxford, as we have just 
noticed. They had had no regular preaching since 1793, 
the year of the commencement of Mr. Holyoke's infirmities, 
a period of about fifteen years. 

Mr. Briggs was known by the appellation of "parson" — 
Parson Briggs — far and near. He married, first, Sarah, 
daughter of Deacon Richard Sears of Chatham, who died 
April 29, 1 812, at the age of thirty-two years. He married, 
second (pub. Oct. 16, 18 13), Mehitable Sears, sister to 
his first wife, who died Aug. 1, 18 14, at the age of thirty 
years. He married, for the third time, Henrietta Chester 



294 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

of Canterbury, Conn., to whom he was published in order 
to marriage Dec. 31, 181 5. By his first wife, Sarah, he 
had one son, James Freeman Briggs, who died 16 Oct., 
18 10, aged thirteen months. Mr. Briggs came back, and 
visited the scenes of his early labors, and occupied the 
pulpit, many times after his departure from the town. He 
died a few years since, having never settled in any other 
place after he left Boxford, though, we believe, he preached 
for many years. 

Rev. John Whitney was the fifth minister of the First 
Church. He was ordained here Oct. 15, 1834, and was 
dismissed in the summer of 1837. During his ministry 
here, only one person was admitted to the church. While 
Col. Charles Peabody continued to reside, in the Say ward 
house, Mr. Whitney boarded with him ; and, when Mr. 
Bunker purchased the place, he occupied the same apart- 
ments while he tarried. In 1835 he married Miss Mary 
A., daughter of Rev. David Jewett of Rockport, two sons 
and seven daughters being born of the union. Mr. Whit- 
ney was born in Harvard, Mass., Sept. 1, 1803, and was 
son of Salmon and Hephzibah Whitney. His oldest 
brother Salmon is the only surviving member of the family, 
and is a retired merchant living in Boston, being more 
than ninety years old. Mr. John Whitney graduated at 
Amherst College in 1831, and at Andover Theological 
Seminary in 1834, and was settled in Boxford the same 
year. From Boxford he removed to Waltham, where he 
was pastor for twenty years. During the next ten years 
he resided at Canaan, N. Y., whither he had removed on 
account of ill health. Most of the time he supplied the 
pulpit of a Presbyterian church. In 1867 he removed to 
Newton ; and, having retired from the ministry, died at 
Newton Centre, May 31, 1879, leaving his widow, four 
daughters, and one son. He was a scholarly man, and 
kept up his studies to the end of his life. 




FIRST CHURCH. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 295 

Before Mr. Whitney left the ministry here, steps had 
been taken to erect a new meeting-house, which were "suc- 
cessfully carried out ; and a new house was begun and 
finished, and was dedicated on the day of Mr. Coggin's 
ordination, May 9, 1838. The work was carried forward in 
such a business-like manner, that it was quickly done, and 
little said about it by the parish-clerk. A description of 
this church, which is the present East Parish edifice, would 
be taking up too much space for an object that is yet new 
and known to all that are interested in its history. In 
reference to its being furnished and fitted up for use, we 
have a word to say about the gifts of some things that 
are still used in it. The first of these that we would 
mention is the bell which has so often waked the slumbers 
of the neighbors at an early hour on the morning of Inde- 
pendence Day. This was a present from Gen. Solomon 
Low, the noted military officer of forty years ago. The 
elegant sofa which adorns the pulpit, and the table and 
chairs in the altar, were the gift of Mrs. Sarah (widow 
of Thomas) Perley, and the Bibles and hymn-books of 
Mrs. Aaron Perley. 

Shortly after Mr. Whitney's departure, in August, 1837, 
Rev. Mr. Coggin preached for the first time in Boxford. 
He was then but twenty-four years of age, and was still 
pursuing his theological course of study at Andover. He 
was invited to settle in the ministry here shortly after, but 
declined on account of his "youth and insufficiency to 
take the position of a pastor and teacher," as he remarks 
in his anniversary sermon. Again they urgently requested 
him to retract his former decision ; which he did, and 
thereupon came to Boxford, and preached as a candidate 
for settlement. At the close of his engagement he re- 
ceived a unanimous invitation to settle ; but he at first 
declined, because he regarded the salary that was offered 
as hardly competent for his support, and no provision had 



296 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

been made for a yearly vacation. These obstacles being 
immediately removed, the invitation was repeated and 
accepted. 

The ordination of Mr. Coggin took place May 9, 1838, 
the same day that the new meeting-house was dedicated. 
The following were the exercises : Introductory prayer by 
Rev. Mr. Lamson of Brighton ; reading of the Scriptures 
by Rev. Mr. Jefferds of Middleton ; prayer of dedication 
by Rev. Mr. Braman of Georgetown ; sermon by Rev. Mr. 
Coggin of Tewksbury ; ordaining prayer by Rev. Mr. Fitz 
of Ipswich ; charge to the pastor by Rev. Dr. Edwards, 
pastor of the Theological Seminary, Andover ; right hand 
of fellowship by Rev. Mr. Page of North Andover ; address 
to the people by Rev. Mr. Kimball of Ipswich ; and the 
concluding prayer by Rev. Mr. McEwen of Topsfield. 

Mr. Coggin says : " Never shall I forget my emotions 
when the scenes of the day were past. Such was the 
excitement of the occasion as scarcely to admit of reflec- 
tion ; but when the day had closed, and an opportunity 
was afforded for reflection, the crushing sense of respon- 
sibility that came upon me was such as it is impossible to 
describe. Then indeed I felt the force of the apostle's 
interrogatory, ' Who is sufficient for these things ? ' " 

At the time of the ordination of Mr. Coggin the church 
consisted of forty members. In 1840 it had increased to 
fifty-four members ; their Sabbath school consisted of about 
one hundred and fifty scholars ; and their annual contribu- 
tions to benevolent objects amounted to about one hundred 
dollars. 

Ephraim Foster, Esq., in his will, dated Jan. 3, 1835, 
bequeathed to the Second Religious Society one thousand 
dollars, the principal to remain as a permanent fund, and 
the interest arising from the same to be appropriated to the 
support of the minister. 

In 1834 the meeting-house in the West Parish was 




SECOND CHURCH. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 297 

shingled for the first time since its erection in 1774, a 
period of sixty years. However, the building endured but 
a few years longer, and in 1841 the people evinced an idea 
of having a new edifice erected for public worship. In 
accordance with this view, a committee was chosen to 
"sound" the parishioners about the erection of a new 
meeting-house. May 25, 1842, the committee reported 
that " there are within the limits of said society, as we have 
ascertained, thirty-one persons who are in favor of taking 
clown the old house and building a new one, twelve in favor 
of altering and repairing the old one, most of which wish 
to alter it to modern style, and make it about as good as a 
new one, and nine opposed to doing any thing. We have 
found persons who will take twenty pews in a new meeting- 
house, and others who think they shall want to buy or hire." 

On the 4th of the next April, the parish voted to take 
clown the old meeting-house, and build a new one. This 
vote was executed the following summer, and on Wednes- 
day, Nov. 22 (1843), the new edifice was dedicated to its 
service. The old meeting-house contained at the time of 
its demolition forty-nine body-pews, and fourteen pews in 
the gallery, besides the singers'-seats. There were in the 
new meeting-house sixty-two body-pews. The cost of the 
new meeting-house was $4,917.62. 

No provision had been made for a bell, when the follow- 
ing letter was received by Charles Foster, Esq., one of the 
deacons of the church : — 

" Andover, Aug. 26, 1843. 

" Dea. Charles Foster. 

" Dear Sir, — It is now twenty-three years that I have spent a con- 
siderable part of my time within the limits of the Religious Society, 
of which the Rev. Dr. Eaton is pastor ; and during that period I have 
formed many agreeable acquaintances with those who there attend 
worship. As this parish are now building a new meeting-house, and 
have no provision for procuring a bell, and as many of my friends are 
very desirous that so useful and agreeable an accompaniment should 



298 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

not be wanting, — which coincides with my own feelings, — I have taken 
the liberty of an old friend to address you on the subject', and to au- 
thorize you to make the following proposal to the parish on my behalf 
(if you judge proper) : that they shall authorize an agent or agents to 
procure a bell, of suitable size for the house, on the best terms they 
can make, and with such inscription as is thought proper, and that I 
will pay for the same, the parish giving me a legal obligation to pay 
the interest of the money which it shall cost, annually, to me or my 
wife, so long as both or either of us shall live, and no longer, and 
that the vote be unanimous. I regret that my circumstances do not 
enable me to make a gift, without conditions, but as my income is 
limited, and what may happen cannot be foreseen, my motive, I trust, 
will be construed liberally. Probably in a few fleeting years my wife 
and self shall have passed away, but the bell will remain, with its 
solemn sound, to summon other generations to the house of God. 
" Truly your friend, 

"Charles Saunders." 

The parish graciously accepted of his proposal, and a 
bell was purchased of Henry N. Hooper & Co., 24 Com- 
mercial Street, Boston, for the sum of $254.98. Its weight 
was 1,159 pounds. 

In 1840 Rev. Mr. Eaton was the oldest minister in office 
in the county, being in his seventy-fourth year ' and had 
been longer in the ministry than any one then in office, 
having completed half a century.* Shortly after, his health 
began to fail; and in the early part of the year 1845, ne 
sent the following communication to the society, asking his 
dismission : — 

" To the Christian Society in West Boxford. 

" Beloved Brethren, — I am admonished by advanced age, the in- 
firmities of body and mind, and the feelings of some in this society, 
that it is time for me to withdraw from the active duties of my pro- 
fession. It is therefore my desire to be exempted from the perform- 
ance of parochial duties after the close of the month of March ; and 
I request this Religious Society to adopt the necessary measures that 
the civil contract may be disannulled. 

" Your affectionate pastor, 

" Peter Eaton." 

* See Gage's History of Rowley, p. 44. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 299 

The parish had no idea of losing their beloved pastor, 
if he was getting old, and his mind weak ; and at the two 
succeeding parish meetings it was voted unanimously that 
he should remain, which Mr. Eaton consented to. April 
22, 1845, the parish voted that he should preach when he 
felt able, and to employ some other person when he was 
not able. He again requested to be dismissed, and, Aug. 
21, 1845, the parish voted that his connection with the 
parish should be dissolved from and after the first Sunday 
in the succeeding month ; upon which the parish passed 
the following resolves, viz. : — 

"Resolved, That in view of the contemplated separation between 
us and the Rev. Peter Eaton, our pastor, we tender an expression of 
our unfeigned attachment to him as a Christian minister, and that we 
sincerely regret any thing we may have done as individuals, or as a 
body, which may have hindered him in the work of the ministry, or 
in any manner have injured his feelings. 

"Resolved, That we tender to him our ardent desires for his future 
usefulness and happiness, assuring him that our prayer to the great 
Head of the Church is, that he may be prospered in life, blessed in 
death, and receive an abundant entrance into the joys which are the 
reward of those who through grace endure unto the end. 

"Resolved, That, as the crisis has arrived when the contract 
between the parish and their aged and venerable pastor (who has for 
nearly .fifty-six years broken the Bread of Life) should be dissolved, it 
is regretted that any division between any members of the parish and 
their pastor exists, we therefore express a hope that a divine blessing 
may be bestowed upon our reverend father in the ministry, through 
his remaining days while here on earth, and that, when called to his 
home in Heaven, his exit from earth may be peaceful and happy." 

Notwithstanding all we have just said, Mr. Eaton was 
not dismissed from the ministry, but another minister was 
called to assist him in the work. This colleague was Rev. 
Calvin E. Park, who was installed Oct. 14, 1846. The 
following were the exercises of the installation, viz. : Invo- 
cation and reading of the Scriptures by Rev. William S. 
Coggin ; introductory prayer by Rev. L. F. Dimmick of 



300 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Newburyport ; sermon by Rev.-Professor Park of Andovcr ; 
installing prayer by Rev. Calvin Park, D D., of Stoughton ; 
charge to the pastor by Rev. Daniel Dana, D.D., of New- 
buryport ; right hand of fellowship by Rev. Nathan Munn 
of Bradford ; address to the people by Rev. Samuel C 
Jackson of Andover; and concluding prayer by Rev. 
Jonathan F. Stearns of Newburyport. 

Rev. Mr. Eaton lingered in his old age until April 14, 
1848, when he quietly passed away at the mature age of 
eighty-three years. He was born in Haverhill, Mass., 
March 15, 1765 ; graduated at Harvard, 1787 ; and studied 
divinity with Phineas Adams of Haverhill. He married, 
first, Sept. 2, 1792, Sarah, daughter of Rev. Elias Stone — 
for sixty years pastor of the church in Reading, — who died 
Jan. 15, 1824, aged fifty-seven years. He married, second, 
(pub. Aug. 17, 1824), widow Sarah Sweet of Andover. 
His children, all by first wife, were : 1. Sarah, b. 24 July, 
1794; m. Daniel Flint, 11 Dec, 1820. 2. Mary, b. 1796; 
d. 20 June, 1797. 3. Peter Sydney, b. 7 Oct., 1798 (see 
his biography). 4. Francis Welch, b. 28 July, 1800; was 
lost at sea, 15 Nov., 1821. 5. Mary Stone, b. 30 May, 
1802 ; m. Moses Kimball of Boxford. 6. Joseph Webster, 
b. 1 May, 1804; d. 29 Oct., 1821. 7. John Hubbard, b. 
12 April, 1806. 

Rev. Peter Eaton was of a large and generous spirit, with 
powers as a preacher of a superior order, and with a char- 
acter for kindness of heart and moral worth not often 
surpassed. He secured, during his long and quiet minis- 
try, the respect and love of his people, who, as a memorial 
of their affection, erected a monument to his memory. — 
Monument. 

Few ministers can be found in any age or country 
who have occupied the same pulpit for so long a period 
as did Mr. Eaton. For fifty-seven long years he was 
almost constantly in the pulpit, attending to his duties. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 301 

He saw ministers grow up and die around him ; he saw his 
young friends, who, when he was settled over the society, 
were yet in their teens, grow up, and become grandfathers ; 
new generations were born into the world ; new manners 
and customs took the place of the old-fashioned mode 
of living ; and at last, aged, infirm, and with silver locks 
floating where, in his boyhood days, the golden curls grew, 
no wonder he felt like a pilgrim and a stranger whenever 
he thought of the scenes of his youth, his beloved wife, 
and most, if not all, of his children left him to wander 
alone. He was dearly beloved by his flock, and deeply 
lamented when he died. 

Several of Dr. Eaton's sermons were published, and are 
now extant. Through the kindness of N. W. Hazen, Esq., 
of Andover, two of them now lie before us. One of these 
was delivered at Topsfield, June 20, 1815, before "The" 
Moral Society of Boxford and Topsfield," * at their first 
regular meeting. The text was : " They returned, and cor- 
rupted themselves more than their fathers " (Judg. ii. 19). 
It contains much information concerning the morals of 
that time. The other sermon is entitled, " Test of Chris- 
tian Character," and was written upon the text : " Not 
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into 
the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my 
Father that is in heaven" (Matt. vii. 21), — delivered on 
an exchange at North Andover, March 9, 1834. Both 
show soundness and clearness of teaching. 

After Mr. Eaton's death Mr. Park continued to occupy 
the pulpit. 

May 14, 1850, the following Articles of Faith and Cove- 

* This society was formed, as its constitution professes, for "the sup- 
pression of immorality of every description, particularly intemperance, sab- 
bath-breaking, and profanity ; and the promotion of piety and good morals." 
This was the introduction of the more narrow temperance organizations of 
the present day. In this sermon the development of immorality, and the 
steps taken to prevent its spread, are clearly and skilfully divulged. 



302 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

nant, which are those that are now used by the church, 
were adopted : — 

Articles of Faith. 

"ist, You believe in the one loving and true God — the Father, 
Son, and Holy Ghost ; and that it is the duty of all men supremely to 
love and obey him. 

" 2d, You believe that the scriptures of the Old and New Testa- 
ment are the Word of God, written throughout by the inspiration of 
the Holy Ghost, and that they are a perfectly sufficient and infallible 
rule of faith and practice. 

" 3d, You believe that God created our first parents upright, that 
by eating the forbidden fruit they fell from that state of righteousness, 
and that in consequence of their apostacy, all their descendants were 
made sinners. 

" 4th, You believe in the incarnation, obedience, suffering and death 
of Jesus Christ ; His resurrection and ascension ; that He alone by His 
sufferings and death has made atonement for sin, and that faith in 
Him is essential to salvation. 

" 5th, You believe that the wickedness of every man's heart is such 
as to render necessary his being born again, that he may enter into 
the Kingdom of God, and that no one will ever perform the conditions 
of salvation but such as are made willing to do so by the special 
influence of the Holy Ghost. 

" 6th, You believe that God has from the foundation of the world 
chosen those from among men who shall receive eternal life, through 
sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth, and who shall 
through grace persevere in holiness unto the end.. 

" 7th, You believe that Christ has established a church in the earth 
composed only of such as have savingly believed in Jesus Christ, and 
that he has appointed two ordinances to be observed by the church, — 
the Lord's Supper and baptism, the latter to be received by believers 
and their households. 

"8th, You believe in the resurrection of the righteous and the 
wicked, in a universal final judgment in which all men will receive 
according to their deeds done in the body, and after which the right- 
eous will go away into eternal life, and the wicked into a punishment 
that will never end. — This you profess and believe. 

Covenant. 

" You do now humbly and penitently, asking the forgiveness of 
your sins through the blood of your Saviour, give up yourself to God 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 303 

in an everlasting covenant in our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the pres- 
ence of God, angels, and men, you promise by the assistance of the 
Holy Spirit, that you will forsake the vanities of this world, and let 
your conversation be such as becometh godliness, consecrating all 
your powers to the service of Jesus Christ, and seeking the good of 
the church and the world. You covenant with this church to walk in 
love, to submit to its discipline and ordinances, and in all things to 
seek its peace and welfare so long as in the providence of God you 
shall be connected with it. 

" And we, the members of this church, do now affectionately re- 
ceive you to our communion and fellowship ; and engage to watch 
over your spiritual interests, and to walk with you in all the ordi- 
nances of the gospel, as becometh saints. And may God in His 
infinite mercy enable us to be faithful to Him and to each other while 
we live, that we may be admitted at last, through the blood of Christ, 
to His everlasting kingdom." 

In 1838 the land for the new cemetery in the West 
Parish was purchased, and improved for that purpose 
immediately. In 1863 an addition was made to it, lots, 
carriage-ways, and avenues laid out, together with other 
improvements. 

About 1837 Major William Low built a building near 
the residence of Ancill Dorman, Esq., which he used for a 
carpenter's shop ; but Jacob, brother of Rev. Mr. Coggin, 
wishing to keep a store in the village, Mr. Low removed it 
to its present position. Having been used for that pur- 
pose ever since, it is now, as it has been for a number of 
years, under the care of Mr. Frederic A. Howe, who has 
been the postmaster of the East Parish for several years. 

A number of .shoe-manufactories existed in the town at 
the time of which we are writing. In 1837 the estimated 
value of shoes manufactured here was $52,975. One of 
these manufacturers was Samuel Fowler, in the West 
Parish. Some twenty years since, several shoe-manufac- 
tories were in vogue ; among which were those of Marion 
Gould, John Hale, Isaac Hale, and Edward Howe. Marion 
Gould continued in the business but a short time. John 



304 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Hale erected his elegant factory-building about 1857, and 
began the manufacture of shoes. He failed during the 
war, but afterwards for a few years did a little business. 
Isaac Hale built his manufactory in 1859, and did business 
about three or four years. The last mentioned, however, 
had manufactured shoes a few years previous to the erec- 
tion of his factory-building. Edward Howe began shoe- 
business in 1838 ; built his present shoe-manufactory in 
1845, and entered into a larger enterprise. Uninterrupted 
by the fluctuations of business, he has kept his workmen 
busy to the present time. In 1876 his son William W. 
Howe became a partner in the business, and the firm-name 
from that date has been " Edward Howe & Son." Their 
trade is mostly confined to the Southern and Middle States, 
and, as their goods are of good stock and standard make, 
they have a regular sale. They now manufacture about 
six thousand pairs annually. 

We pass onward with the history of the militia com- 
panies. In 1832 the two companies were joined together, 
and trained as one company until the spring of 1840, when 
all the militia throughout the State were disbanded. We 
insert the roll of the company, which was still a part of 
the Third Regiment, Second Brigade, Second Division, 
of the State militia, as corrected on the first Tuesday of 
May, 1838, viz. : — 



Hosea C. Killam, Captain, 
John Peabody, Lieutenant, 
Isaac Hale, Ensign, 
Augustus Perley, Clerk, 
Arro Ely, Drummer, 
Oliver T. Peabody, Drummer, 
Daniel Bixby, Fifer. 

Privates. 
Samuel Andrews, 
Daniel Andrews, 



Dean Andrews, 
William Atherton, 
Samuel Adams, 
Levi Bartlett, 
Charles Bixby, 
Charles H. Bixby, 
William Bly, 
James Carleton, 
Samuel B. Carleton, 
Amos Chaplin, 
Amos Davis, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



305 



Joshua T. Day, 
John Day, jun., 
Moses Dorman, jun., 
Ancill Dorman, 
Bradstreet E. Davis, 
William Fegan, 
John Fegan, 
Richard K. Foster, 
Warren Gage, 
Francis Gould, 
Elijah Gould, 
Samuel Goodale, 
Augustus Hayward, 
John Hale, 
Joseph Hale, 
Israel Hale, 
Daniel Hosmer, 
Benjamin Hood, 
Allen G. Hood, 
Joseph Killam, 
Joseph E. Killam, 
Oliver Killam, jun., 
Amos Kimball, 
Samuel Morse, 
Jefferson Nichols, 
Horatio Pearl, 
James M. Peabody, 
Stephen Peabody, 
John Prescott, 
Timothy Phillips, 
Parker B. Perley, 



Samuel Perley, 3d, 
Stephen P. Perley, 
Henry E. Perley, 
Leonard Perley, 
Charles Perley, 
Hiram Perley, 
Moody Perley, 
Leander Perley, 
Jesse Reynolds, 
Benjamin Robinson, jun., 
Jeremiah Rea, 
Samuel P. Russell, 
Johnson Savage, 
Elijah Stiles, 
Israel Stiles, 
Nathaniel G. Spiller, 
John Spiller, 
Calvin L. Smith, 
Nathaniel Smith, 
Charles Smith, 
Simeon Spofford, 
Solomon Spofford, 
Samuel H. Towne, 
Henry A. Towne, 
Phineas P. Tyler, 
Jeremiah Tyler, 
William Tyler, jun., 
Daniel Wells, 
Joseph Waterhouse, 
William Wentworth. 

Total number, Si. 



The above company would have been much larger, but 
for the organization of the B oxford Washington Guards 
two years before (1836). Many of the old joined the new 
and dashing company, which was an intensely popular 
organization. 

The old company, as we have before said, was disbanded 
in the spring of 1840. Aug. 10 of the same year the town 
voted that they would furnish an armory for the use of the 



306 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Guards, at an expense not exceeding $300, including land 
for its site. On the 13th of the following November $70 
more was voted to be expended in its completion, thus 
making its cost $370. The armory was built by David 
Dwinnell, and was situated near the residence of Mr. Jere- 
miah Rea. A few years later it was sold to the late 
Mr. Joseph N. Pope, who removed and fitted it up into 
the dwelling-house which he occupied till his death. 

After flourishing for about ten years, the Guards dis- 
united, never to meet as a company again. This is the 
last company of militia that Boxford has had. 

In 1852 steps were taken by the people living on its 
line to build a railroad from Danvers to Newburyport, pass- 
ing through the east part of Boxford. The Boxford people 
invested much money in the shares of the capital stock, 
from which little advantage was derived, except from the 
convenience of the railroad. The work of building the rail- 
way was accordingly begun in the summer of 1852; and in 
October, 1853, the trains began to run. Three trains a day 
each way was then the rule, — one at morning, the others 
at noon and night. In 1859 the company sold the road to 
the Boston and Maine Railroad, who have since owned and 
controlled the road, which they have extended to Wakefield 
to unite with their line. The Boxford depot is situated 
in the extreme eastern part of the town, and Mr. William 
J. Badger is, and has been for sixteen years, the popular 
and efficient station-agent. The station-agents before Mr. 
Badger were S. Page Lake, John Hale, jun., and Samuel 
McKenzie, respectively. 

The practice of "boarding out" town paupers was con- 
tinued up to the time of purchasing the farm of Capt. 
Jacob Towne in 1847. The farm-buildings were repaired, 
improvements made, and every thing was prepared for 
the reception of the paupers. Mr. Jonathan Martin — 
now living, and postmaster at Byfield, being upwards of 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 307 

eighty years of age — was the first master of almshouse. 
Various men have occupied that position during the three 
decades that have elapsed since the purchase of the farm ; 
some of them staying a number of years. Since coming 
into the possession of the town, the farm has been much 
improved, both in its appearance and fertility ; and we 
congratulate the town in obtaining the services of such 
able men for masters. 

March 7, 1846, the western extremity of the town of Ips- 
wich was annexed to Boxford. The annexation contained 
about fifteen acres, and included the residences of Messrs. 
Edward and Leverett S. Howe. 

A small village having sprung up in the southern part 
of the town of Groveland, those families that resided on an 
adjacent corner of Boxford desired to be set off to Grove- 
land, and thus form a portion of the rising village of South 
Groveland. A petition was sent to the General Court, who 
granted their request, providing " that the inhabitants and 
land thus set off shall be holden to pay, and shall pay, to 
said town of Boxford, the sum of one hundred and ten dol- 
lars and fifty cents ; the said sum being their part of the 
town-debt of said town of Boxford : and provided further, 
that all paupers who have gained a settlement in said town 
of Boxford by a settlement gained or derived within said 
territory shall be relieved or supported by said town of 
Groveland, in the same manner as if they had a legal 
settlement in said town of Groveland." In choosing repre- 
sentatives to the General Court, the voters in that district 
were ordered to vote with the town of Boxford until the 
next decennial census (i860). The act was approved by 
the governor, March 21, 1856.* The part set off was that 
enclosed by the following lines, viz. : " Beginning at a stone 
monument at the north-westerly corner of the town of 
Georgetown, and north-easterly corner of said town of Box- 

* Acts of General Court, 1S56, chap. 61, sects. 1-3. 



308 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

ford, thence running, ten degrees thirty minutes west, three 
hundred and eleven rods and five links, on a line between 
said towns of Georgetown and Boxford, to a stone monu- 
ment, at an angle between said towns ; thence running on 
an angle with the first-mentioned line, containing forty-six 
degrees thirty minutes, five hundred and fifty-eight rods 
and twenty links, north-westerly, and between the houses 
of William Ross and John C. Foot, and across Johnson's 
Pond, to a stone monument between the towns of Brad- 
ford, Boxford, and Groveland ; thence running easterly, on 
a line between said towns of Boxford and Groveland (which 
is the present dividing line between said towns), to the 
point first begun at." 

In 1857 the number of school-committee was reduced to 
three. The same number is still chosen annually, — one 
being chosen for three years, one for two, and one for one 
year, by which arrangement one of the committee leaves, 
and a new one enters the office, each year. In 1858 it was 
voted to have a " prudential " committee, consisting of one 
person in each district, to hire their own teacher. This 
arrangement continued for a number of years, and was 
then abandoned. 

The present school system is very advantageous, accom- 
modating itself to the scholars by its summer, fall, and 
winter terms, continuing in the aggregate some six or 
seven months out of the twelve. The younger children, 
that could not attend the winter term on account of the 
inclemency of the season, can avail themselves of the 
summer months. Also, the young men that are employed 
at home upon the farm during the summer season can 
attend the winter term. Many of the higher branches of 
study have been introduced into the schools, so that our 
younger population can obtain a good education without 
leaving town, although we have no high schools or academies. 




CHAPTER XIV. 

THE REBELLION. 

Cause of the Strife. — First Events. — Votes of Boxford. — 
Volunteers. — Bounties offered by the Town. — The 
Morse House. — Lists of those that entered the Army 
and Navy from Boxford. — The Draft. — Amount of 
Money expended by the Town. — The Work of the 
Ladies. — Soldiers' Monument. — Camp Stanton. 

E now enter upon a period which bereaved many 
families of their main support, and brought sor- 
row to every household in the loss of a son, a 
father, a husband, or some near kindred. It was 
a period that tried the patriotism of the Northern States, 
and which proved that they would sustain the Union, cost 
what it might. Among the many towns and cities of the 
old Commonwealth, Boxford made known to the world that 
her share of the conflict would be sustained ; and she kept 
her word by sending into the service several soldiers more 
than had been called for. 

The question of slavery — the cause of the strife — need 
not be agitated, as every American home has been thrilled 
with its discussion, and all well understand its alliance 
with the South. 

At the national election in i860, Abraham Lincoln of 
Illinois, the Republican nominee, was elected President of 
the United States. Disdaining to accept the result of the 
election, because of Lincoln's aversion to slavery, a number 
of the Southern States seceded, and attempted to set up 

3°9 



310 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

a government of their own, choosing Jefferson Davis presi- 
dent, and Alexander H. Stephens vice-president, and call- 
ing themselves the Confederate States of America. The 
United States immediately began measures to suppress the 
attempt of disunion, but on a very limited scale. 

At half-past four on the morning of April 12, the first 
shot was fired from Fort Moultrie, — in which the South 
had placed seven thousand men under the command of Gen. 
Beauregard, — upon Fort Sumter, which contained only 
seventy of the Union soldiers under the command of Ma- 
jor Anderson. Thus commenced this strange, unequalled 
battle, in which no lives were lost on either side. Fort 
Sumter, after withholding fire three hours, opened her 
guns with vigor. The battle continued without result dur- 
ing the day, and Beauregard kept up his fire at intervals 
during the night. The next day the woodwork of Fort 
Sumter was set on fire by shells, and the men were forced 
to leave the guns to arrest the flames. At noon the 
whole roofing of the barracks was on fire, and there was 
imminent danger of an explosion of the magazine. At last, 
worn out, suffocated, and almost blinded, the garrison 
capitulated. The telegraph conveyed the tidings to all 
parts of the country ; it excited everywhere the greatest 
amazement, few persons having believed hitherto that the 
South would ever proceed to extremities. It was also met 
with the determination on the part of nine-tenths of the 
people of the North, that the rebellion should be sup- 
pressed, no matter how much human life, or how much 
time and money, its suppression might require. President 
Lincoln issued a proclamation on the 15th, calling for 
seventy-five thousand volunteer soldiers. 

On the 6th of May, the selectmen of Boxford called a 
town-meeting, at which it was voted " to furnish each of 
those persons who have volunteered, or who may volunteer, 
into the service of their country from this town, within the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 311 

present year, with such clothing and other things as they 
may need ; also, to pay them during their elementary 
drill as much per month as their pay will be when in 
regular service." The number, names, &c, of the men 
that volunteered this year, as well as those that enlisted 
during the whole five years that the war continued, will be 
found by referring to the table given a few pages ahead. 

The events of the first year, 1861, aroused the North to 
more extensive operations. The first battle of Bull Run, 
which was fought this year, was the most disastrous to 
both armies, about two thousand being killed on each side. 

July 22, 1862, to further encourage men to volunteer 
into the service, the town voted " that a bounty of two 
hundred dollars be offered to any person being a citizen of 
this town who may enlist into the service of the United 
States for the term of three years, to be paid them when 
they are sworn into said service, until the town's quota is 
full. They must enlist within twenty-one days from this 
date" (July 22, 1862). Also, voted "that the recruiting 
officers be authorized, after the expiration of twenty days, 
to recruit from any other source approved by law, offering 
a bounty of one hundred dollars." 

Aug. 22, the town voted "that they will pay to each 
person that is a resident of this town, who will enlist into 
the Federal army, and be duly enrolled under the last call 
of the President for three hundred thousand men for nine 
months service, until the quota for Boxford shall be filled, a 
bounty of two hundred and fifty dollars." 

Mr. Samuel K. Herrick of Boston was recruiting agent 
for Boxford, 1864. 

March 5, 1864, the selectmen were ordered to keep on 
recruiting soldiers " without one day s delay!' 

Boxford acted a conspicuous part in the Rebellion. 
Ninety-two of the young and middle-aged men of the town 
volunteered to go to the front, and help sustain the union 



312 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

of the United States. Of these, two died while im- 
prisoned at Andersonville ; two more were imprisoned in 
the Libby Prison, one of whom died there. Twenty of the 
brave young spirits succumbed to the deadly effects of 
rifle-balls and Southern diseases ; the bodies of most of 
them now mouldering in the soil of the sunny regions 
of the South, in graves unknown and unhonored, with no 
memorial-stone but the cenotaph at home, on which their 
names are engraved. Thirteen were wounded in battle, or 
contracted diseases of which they died soon after arriving 
home. In addition to these volunteers, thirty were drafted, 
five more entered the navy, and faithfully served their 
country until they died or were discharged. 

Entering the army, most of them, at the beginning of 
the strife, Bull Run, Cedar Mountain, and other battle- 
fields, witnessed the death-struggle of more than one 
Boxford boy. Others were wounded, some fatally, in the 
battles of Port Hudson, Blunt's Creek, Antietam, Spott- 
sylvania, Mechanicsville, Bull Run, Gettysburg, Lookout 
Mountain, and other fierce conflicts of the Rebellion. 
Under the command of Gen. Joe Hooker, some of them 
were numbered with the Army of the Potomac. Death by 
starvation in the rebel prisons, on the battle-field, by fatal 
diseases; inconveniences, discomforts, — all stared them in 
the face ; but with unwavering patriotism they fought 
until their end was gained, till the Union was restored : 
then they laid down their muskets, to take them no more 
up until another threatening storm of disunion should 
sweep over the land. 

In connection with the Rebellion the old Morse house, 
situated among the hills of the West Parish, is of more 
than common interest. It was built in 1799 by Jacob 
Parker, who afterward resided in it till his death. After 
his death, until a few years since, it was occupied by his 
son, Aaron L. Parker, and Samuel Morse, who married his 




OLD MORSE HOUSE. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



313 



daughter Mary Parker. These two families had nine sons, 
all of whom volunteered into the service of their country ; 
and one of them was starved to death in the rebel Libby 
Prison. It is truly, as the mother of five of those soldiers 
remarked, " a soldier house." 

The following table has been prepared to aid the reader 
by a more comprehensive view of the various dates of 
enlistment, in what regiment, company, &c, — the footnotes 
giving information regarding their services, &c. : — 



NAMES. 



Enlisted 

AND 

Mustered into 
Service. 



Period 



Service. 



Martin L. Ames,* 
David M. Anderson,f 
Edward G. Batch elder, $ 
John Q. Batchelder,§ 
Samuel H. Batchelder,|| 



( Drafted July 15, li 



, M 

E. 
|M. 

j E. Jan. 20, 1862. 
( M. Jan. 20, 1862. 

E. Jan. 16, 1862. 
) M. Jan. 16, 1862. 
j E. Aug. , 1862. 
I M. Sept. 19, 1862 



1863. 



3 yrs. 
9 mos. 

3 yrs. 
a 

9 mos. 



Priv. 



50 K 



* He was born in Ossipee, N.H., Feb. 22, 1838. Worked out for Mr. 
John Hale. Was in delicate health ; was sent to Rendo, Long Island. Was 
taken prisoner about May 30, 1864, and died at Andersonville Prison, Sept. 
8, 1864. 

t Born in Boxford, Oct. 29, 1S43. Son of Robert B, and Irene Anderson. 
Enlisted as one of the quota of West Newbury, and received his bounty from 
that town. Went in Gen. Banks' division, — detailed from the regiment as 
teamster. Was in the battle at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863. Arrived home 
Aug. 23, and mustered out of service Sept. 3, 1863. Died March 8, 1S69. 

t Born in Danvers, Oct. 19, 1822. Son of Jacob and Mary C. Batchelder. 
Was on guard-duty May 14, 1862, and fell into a pit or hole, and injured his 
ankle so that he was unfit for duty afterwards. Came home June 22, 1862. 
Discharged Dec. 16, 1S62. Died May 7, 1S79. 

§ Born in Lynnfiekl, Jan. 22, 1815. Brother to the above. Was in battle 
at Savage's Station, June 29, 1862. Died of typhoid-fever on board the 
hospital-ship Euterpe, Oct. 17, 1S62 ; buried in Soldiers' Cemetery, near 
Mill-Creek Hospital. 

|| Born in Lynnfield, June 2, 1S19. Brother to the above. Promoted to a 
sergeantcy. Went in Gen. Banks' division to New Orleans ; from there to 



314 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 





Enlisted 














Period 


7. 


>•* 


2 * 


NAMES. 


and 


of 


w 




H 2 




Mustered into 






£ 


2 H 






Service. 





s 


-J c/i 




Service. 






c 


fc 








Pi 





W Pi 


Frank Brady,* 


( E. 1861. j 
\ M. July 22, 1 861. j 


3 yrs. 


17 


I 


Priv. 


Jacob D. Brown,f 


E. April 26, 1861. / 
j M. July 22, 1861. * 


« 


« 


F 


<( 


Samuel H. Brown, J 


E. Aug. 4, 1862. 1 
| M. Aug. 6, 1862. 


« 


35 


F 


u 


Frank A. Burrell,§ 


\ E. April, 1861. 

1 M j 


<( 


4i 


I 


D'r. 


D. Butler, || 


{5. 1 










George E. Carleton,^[ 


( E. Aug. 1, 1862. ( 
/ M. Aug. 1, 1862. j 


<< 


35 


F 


Priv. 


John R. Chadwick,** 


IE. 1 
} M. Oct. 8, 1862. 1 


9 mos. 


5o 


K 


<< 


Charles W. Cole,ff 


J E. 1862. ) 
\ M. 1862. j 


3 yrs. 


35 


F 


« 



Baton Rouge. Was in battle at Port Hudson, May 27 and June 14, T863. 
Arrived home Aug. 11, and mustered out of service Aug. 24, 1S63. Lives in 
Methuen, Mass. 

* Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 4, 1S45. Son of Michael and Susan 
Brady. Was in battle at Kinston Dec. 15, and Goldsborough Dec. 20, 

1862. Promoted to the rank of corporal, March, 1S63. 

t Born in Boxford, Nov. 9, 1S37. Son of John W. and Mary E. Brown. 
Left camp in Lynnfield, Aug. 22, and arrived in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 24, 
1861. Embarked on board the steamer Merriam for Newbern, N.C., March 

27, 1S62, where he remained till May 2S, 1S63. Was in four battles: at 
Kinston, Dec. 15, Whitehall, 17th, Goldsborough, 20th, 1S62 ; and battle of 
Blunt's Creek, April 9, 1863. Dismissed by reason of disability, May 

28, 1863. 

% Born in Boxford, Feb. 2, 1846. Brother to the above. Was in battle 
of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Taken sick soon after, went into hospital at 
Keidsville, and died there of typhoid-fever, Oct. 23, 1S62. 

§ Born in Salem. 

|| Died Sept. 13, 1S64. 

TT Born in North Andover, March 28, 1S42. Son of Robert E. and Maria 
E. Carleton. Was in battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, and Antietam, 17th ; 
left the regiment, and was carried to the hospital in Alexandria, Nov. 8; 
transferred to the hospital in New York, Dec. 22, 1S62 ; remained there until 
discharged, Feb. 22, 1S63. Died Jan. 27, 1875. 

** Born in Bradford, Mass., Aug. 23, 1824. Son of Jonathan and Eunice 
Chadwick. Service, same as Samuel H. Batchelder's. Died Sept. 15, 

1863, thirty-five days after his arrival home. 

ft Born in Boxford, April 2, 1S44. Son of Ephraim F. and Sarah S. Cole. 
Enlisted as one of the quota of North Andover, and received bounty from 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



315 









h 






NAMES. 


AND 


Period 
of 


K 


is 

< 

a. 


I- 2 
S2 H 




Mustered into 




O 








Service. 


Service. 




O 

U 


2 

w a, 


John F. Cole,* 


I E. July 27, 1862. | 
| M. July 29, 1862. \ 


3 yrs. 


35 


F 


Priv. 


Francis Curtis, jr.,f 


( E. Aug. 15, 1862. j 
( M. Aug. 18, 1862. | 


u 


40 


(i 


<< 


Oscar F. Curtis,$ 


I E. July, 1 861. \ 
\ M. 1861. j 


(< 


H 


1 


u 


Isaac C. Day,§ 


I E. July 27, 1862. ) 
j M. July 29,1862. | 


« 


35 


F 


(1 


John A. Day, || 


J E. Sept. 18, 1861. j 
I M. Sept. 20, 1861. j 


(« 


22 


11 


<« 



that town. Taken sick March 1, and died March 3, 1S63, of fever, at New- 
port News, Va. Buried in West Boxford, March 26, 1863. 

* Born in Boxford, Jan. 20, 1S41. Brother to the preceding. Was in 
battle of South Mountain, Sept. 14, and Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. At cap- 
ture of Jackson, Miss., May 14 ; surrender of Vicksburg, July 4 ; and battle 
at Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 1, 1863. Was wounded in left shoulder in battle 
of Spottsylvania Court House, May 18, and died June 14, 1864, at McLellan 
Hospital, Philadelphia. Buried in West Boxford. 

t Born in Boxford, July II, 1836. Son of Francis and Lorintha (Davis) 
Curtis. Enlisted as one of the quota of Topsfield, and received bounty from 
that town. Lives in Topsfield. 

J Born in Boxford, Jan. 2, 1839. Brother to the above. Wounded in 
battle at Spottsylvania, May 19, 1864, and died at Washington, D.C., in con- 
sequence of his wound, June 8, 1864. Buried in Topsfield, June 22. Credited 
to Topsfield on State records. 

§ Born in Boxford, June 2, 1S43. Son of Joshua T. and Elvira K. Day. 
Was in battle at South Mountain, Va., Sept. 14, 1S62 ; wounded by a bursting 
shell at battle of Antietam, Sept. 17 ; sent to hospital at David's Island, N.Y., 
where he remained six weeks. Dec. 6, 1S62, had a furlough for thirty days ; 
came home, and was married to Miss Harriet M. Jaques, Dec II, who died 
Feb. 7, 1S63. Left home to join his regiment Jan. 13, 1S63. Went in Gen. 
Burnside's division. Was at capture of Jackson, Miss., May 14, at sur- 
render of Vicksburg, July 4, and the battle of Knoxville, Tenn., Dec. 1, 
1863. Wounded in stomach in passing through the gap made by the explo- 
sion of the mine in front of Petersburg, September, 1864 ; was transferred to 
the Lincoln General Hospital at Washington, D.C. ; got a furlough of thirty 
days to come home ; then returned to Washington, where he (Feb. 23, 1S65) 
had charge of a hospital-team. Lives in Boxford. 

|| Born in Boxford, Jan. 24, 1837. Son of John, jun., and Emily K. Day. 
Left Lynnfield, Oct. S, 1S61 ; arrived in Washington, nth ; camped on Hall's 
Hill, 13th; was taken sick so as to be unfit for duty, March 1, 1S62. Went 
to Fort Corcoran with the sick, March 25; left the hospital 31st, and joined 



316 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

AND 

Mustered into 
Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


z 

w 

5 
u 


> 
< 



u 


Enlisted 
Position. 


Joshua G. Day,* 
George S. Dodge, f 


( Drafted July 15, 1863. \ 
t M. ' 1863. i 
J E. April 19, 1861. 1 
( M. April 19, 1861. j 


3 yrs- 
3 mos. 


32 

5 


I 

D 


Priv. 



his regiment at Hampton, Va., April 2 ; left Hampton next day to go to 
Yorktown, where they arrived the 5th. Staid there doing duty until evacu- 
ated, May 8, and went up York River to West Point; left there 13th, and 
marched to Whitehouse ; arrived there 15th; left there 19th, and marched 
to Tanstall's Station ; left there 23d, went to Keid's Mills, and encamped ; 
left, and went to Gaines' Mills ; then went to Hanover Court House, and was 
in battle there the 27th ; was sick, or doing light duty, from that time till June 
26, when he went with the regiment, and was in the battle of Mechanicsville 
and the seven-days' battle in front of Richmond, Va. Got to Harrison's 
Landing July 2 ; was sick, and went to Mill-Creek Hospital, Fortress 
Monroe, Va., Aug. 11, 1862. Was sent from Fortress Monroe, Oct. 27, to 
Long-Island College Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was discharged 
Nov. 12, 1862. 

* Born in Boxford, June 13, 1845. Son of Joshua T. and Elvira K. Day. 
Sent to Rendo, Long Island. Was in battle at Bristow Station, Oct. 14, and 
at battle of Mine Run, Va., Nov. 27, 1863. Wounded in right arm at the 
battle of Mechanicsville, May 30, and died in hospital at White-House 
Landing, June 8, 1864, where he now lies buried. 

t Born in Nevvburyport, Feb. 1, 1S37. Son of Robert and Betsey (Bragg) 
Dodge. Belonged to Haverhill Light Infantry. The company's orders were 
received at noon, April 19, 1S61, and, as they had been drilling daily, they 
were ready to rush to the rescue of Washington and their country. He 
marched in Company D, Capt. C. P. Messer, Fifth Regiment (which was be- 
fore known as Company G, in the Seventh Regiment), as a three-months' 
volunteer, and is said to have been the first one in Boxford to respond to the 
call of Lincoln in the beginning of the eventful struggle. During his first 
period of service he was in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861, and his 
time expired immediately after. He enlisted, second, Aug. 4, 1862; mustered 
same day, for the service of three years in Company F, Capt. Samuel Oliver, 
Thirty-fifth Regiment, and received a corporal's warrant ; and was in 
battles of South Mountain, Sept. 14, Antietam, Sept. 17, and at Fredericks- 
burg, Dec. 13, 1862. Was at the capture of Jackson, Miss., May 14, and 
surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. Aug. 18, 1863, was obliged to go into 
a hospital in Ohio ; was transferred from there to Portsmouth Grove Hos- 
pital, R.I. Nov. 5, 1S63, had a furlough of seven days to come home. Was 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



317 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


- 

z 

8 

O 

a 
Pi 


> 
z 

< 


u 


u 5 

H 2 

z 


Edwin T. Ehrlacher,* 


1 E. June 18, 1862. \ 
|M. J 


3 yrs. 


41 


H 


Priv. 


Murdock Frame, f 


I E. Aug. 11, 1861. 

') M. j 


tt 


2 


C 


(i 


Albert A. Frye,$ 


( E. Aug. , 1861. ) 
1 M. 1861. J 


<( 


17 


F 


<< 


Isaac E. Frye,§ 


( E. Aug. , 1861. ) 
j M. 1861. 1 


" 


14 


D 


(< 


Charles H. Frye,|| 


( E. 1861. ) 
j M. 1861. ( 


it 


14 


1) 


« 


Isaac Frye,^[ 
Benjamin Fuller,** 


i E. Sept. 17, 1861. ) 
} M. Sept. 17, 1861. \ 

E. Jan. 3, 1865. 
| M. Ian. 3, 1865. j 
t E. Sept. 16, 1861. 1 
'( M.Oct. 1,1861. J 


« 

I yr. 


22 


G 


« 


Daniel Fuller,! f 


3 yrs. 


23 


G 


« 



sent to McDougal Hospital, Fort Schuyler, N.Y., Dec. 21, 1S63. June 7, 
1865, he was promoted to a sergeantcy in Company H, Nineteenth Regiment 
of Veteran Reserve Corps. Lives in Boxford. 

* Born in Newburyport, Mass., Feb. 10, 1S47. Son of and Frances 

Ehrlacher. He enlisted in the Forty-first Regiment (afterwards Third 
Cavalry Regiment), Company H. Went in Gen. Banks' division to New 
Orleans. Was in battle at Irish Bend, La., April 13, 1863 ; at Port Hudson, 
May 27 and June 14, 1863 ; and at Jackson, La , June, 1863. Discharged by 
reason of surgeon's certificate of disability, Jan. iS, 1S64. 

t Born in Stewiacke, N.S. Son of Robert W. and Mary Frame. Killed 
in battle of Cedar Mountain, at Culpepper, Va., Aug. 9, 1S62. Credited to 
Topsfield on State records. 

J Born in Boxford, July 16, 1S44. Son of Isaac and Charlotte B. Frye. 
Died in Baltimore, Md., of typhoid-fever, Dec. 27, 1861. Buried in Louden 
Park Cemetery, Baltimore, Dec. 29, 1S61. Credited to Haverhill on State 
records. 

§ Born in Topsfield, April 20, 1841. Brother to the above. 

|| Born in Topsfield, Feb. 15, 1839. Brother to the above. Discharged 
by reason of re-enlistment in the First Heavy Artillery, as a veteran vol- 
unteer, Dec. 17, 1S63, for three years. Had a furlough of thirty days, 
commencing Dec. 17, 1S63, to come home and visit his friends. 

IT Born in Andover, March 31, 1809. Son of Enoch and Mary Frye. 
Was in battle at Hanover Court House, May 27, 1862, and in the seven-days' 
battle before Richmond. Sick and discharged from service, Dec. 3, 1862. 

** Born in Middleton, Nov. 13, . Son of Benjamin and Esther Fuller. 

Enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Company of Heavy Artillery (unattached). 

tt Born in Danvers, Sept. 3, 1S42. Brother to the above. Promoted to 
the rank of corporal, March 1, 1S62 ; and to sergeant, Aug. 19, 1862. Dis- 
charged by reason of physical disability, Oct. 6, 1863. 



3i8 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


h 

z 

w 

3 

K 


> 

Z 
< 

s 


u 


a 7 - 

H 2 

z 


Enos Fuller,* 
Thomas Fuller,! 
George H. Gage,J 
Charles A. Goodale,§ 
Samuel D. Goodale,|| 
Henry G. Gore,^[ 
Eben Gould,** 
Marion Gould, ff 
William H. Greenleaf,£j: 


(E. j 
1M. i 
I E. Sept. 16, 1862. ) 
j M. Sept. 25, 1862. j 
I E Aug. 6, 1862. 1 
|M. i 
1 E. Oct. 2, 1862. ) 
| M. Oct. 9, 1862. 1 
i E. Aug. 25, 1862. ) 
t M. Sept. 19, 1862. ( 
t E. Aug. 22, 1862. j 
f M. Oct. 8, 1862. \ 
< E. Sept. 24, 1862. 1 
\ M. Sept. 24, 1862. ( 
I E. Sept. 24, 1862. > 
} M. Sept. 24, 1862. i 
j E. June 12, 1861. ) 
t M. June ai, 1861. \ 


1 yr. 
9 mos. 

3 yrs. 

9 mos. 
it 

(< 

<< 

u 

3 y rs - 


48 

SO 
(( 

«( 

48 

<< 

I I 


D 

K 
(< 

(< 
B 

it 

G 


Priv. 
<i 

<< 

u 
(( 
<( 

2dS. 

Cor. 



* Born in Danvers, July 15, 1844. Brother to the preceding. Enlisted in 
the Twenty-seventh Company of Heavy Artillery (unattached). 

t Born in Danvers, Feb. 13, 1840. Brother to the above. Went in Gen. 
Banks' division to New Orleans, La. Was in battle at Port Hudson, May 
27 and June 14, 1863. Arrived home Aug. 23, and discharged Sept. 3, 1S63. 
t Born in Pelham, N.H. Son of Joseph B. and Hannah Gage. Enlisted 
in the First Rhode-Island Cavalry, Company C. Was in battle of Freder- 
icksburg, Dec. 14, 1S62. Wounded in battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, 
and sent to hospital at Fort Schuyler, N.Y. Died May 10, 1S64. 

§ Born in Boxford, April 30, 1S48. Son of Samuel and Nancy (Board- 
man) Goodale. Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. 

|| Born in Boxford, Aug. 16, 1S45. Brother to the above. Service, same 
as S. H. Batchelder's. 

IT Born on Isle of Antigua, Sept. 26, 1845. Son of Henry G. and Anna S. 
Gore. Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. 

** Born in Middleton, March, 1842. Son of Moses Gould. Re-enlisted 
for three years, as a veteran volunteer, in the Second Heavy Artillery, 
Twelfth Company, in 1S63. Jan. 1, 1864, was stationed at Fort Pickering, 
Salem, Mass. 

tt Born in Baltimore, Md., March 7, 1841. Son of Dr. Moses and Lydia 
A. Gould. 

Jt Born in Haverhill, Dec. 22, 1S21. Son of Samuel and Dolly Greenlcaf. 
Was in first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; and in battles of Yorktown, 
Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, and four clays in the seven-days' battle before 
Richmond. Discharged Aug. 18, 1S62, and re-enlisted as one of the quota 
of Boston, Oct. 27, 1S62, for nine months, in the Forty-eighth Regiment, 
Company B. Went in Gen. Banks 1 division to New Orleans ; was detailed 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



319 



NAMES. 



Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 



Period 


h 


> 






z 


of 

Service. 


S 

3 


< 










« 


U 



Frederic A. Griffin,* 
Edward E. Gunnison,f 
William A. Gurley,| 
William O. Gurley,§ 
Harrison Hale,|| 
John Hale^f 
Matthew Hale,** 
Chandler B. Hardy.ff 
George P. Hobson,|| 



)E. 

M. 

IE. 

(M. 
|E. 
1 M. 
I E. 
(M. 
j E. 
1 M. 
IE. 
I M. 
IE. 
I M. 
jE. 
1 M. 
j E. 
M. 



Aug. , 1862. I 

1862. i 

Nov. 16, 1863. ) 

Nov. 26, 1863. j 

Oct. 8, 1862. j 

Aug. 2, 1862. ) 

1862. j 



Aug. 7, 1862. 
Aug. 22, 1862. 

Oct. 8, 1862. 
Jan. 19, 1862. 

Jan. 19, 1862. 
Aug. 15, 1862. 

Aug. 18, 1862. 



3 y rs - 
<< 

9 mos. 
3 yrs. 



9 mos 
3 Y rs - 



33 


H 


5o 


K 


33 


H 


tt 


a 


it 


ti 


50 


K 


40 


F 



Priv, 



to help take care of the sick in the hospital. Arrived home Aug. 23, and 
discharged Sept. 3, 1S63. 

* Born in Newburyport, June 9, 1S44. Son of James and Lydia Griffin. 

t Born in Boxford, April 7, 1837. Son of William and Hannah Gunnison. 
Enlisted in the Twelfth Company, Second Heavy Artillery. Jan. 1, 1864, 
was stationed at Fort Pickering, Salem, Mass. Lives in Topsfield. 

X Born in Boxford, Dec. iS, 18 17. Son of William and Betsey Gurley. 
Went in Gen. Banks' division to New Orleans, La. Detailed from the regi- 
ment as one of a signal corps at Baton Rouge, Dec, 1S62. Taken sick in 
March, and died at Baton Rouge, May 22, 1863. 

§ Born in Boxford, Nov. 13, 1S44. Son of William A. and Hannah Gur- 
ley. Wounded in the shoulder in battle near Lookout Mountain, Va., Oct. 
29, 1S63. Dec. 13, 1863, had a furlough of thirty days to come home. He 
had furloughs from time to time until April, 1864 ; then went to Readville, 
where he was March 1, 1S65. 

|| Born in Boxford, Oct. 8, 1S40. Son of John and Matilda Ann (Bailey) 
Hale. Died in Falmouth, Va., of typhoid-fever, Feb. 6, 1863. Buried in 
Boxford, Feb. 15, 1S63. 

If Born in Boxford, Aug. 22, 1831. Brother to the above. 

** Born in Boxford, April 16, 1S2S. Brother to the above. Went in Gen. 
Banks' division to New Orleans, La. Was unfit for duty most of the time. 
Was in battle of Port Hudson, May 27, 1S63. Died at Mound City, 111., on 
his way home, Aug. 15, 1S63. 

tt Born in Groveland, Feb. 10, 1S21. Son of John B. and Lavinia H. 
Hardy. Enlisted in Third Rhode-Island Artillery, Company L. 

XX Born in Rowley, Oct. 26, 1S37. Son of Prescdtt and Dorothy Hobson. 
Enlisted as one of the quota of Topsfield. Taken sick after he went to the 



S20 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



NAMES. 



Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 



Period 


h 








z 


of 
Service. 


S 

3 


< 










Pi 


U 



Albert P. Hovey,* 
Williard P. Howe.f 
Horace A. Killam,| 
Thomas A. Masury,§ 
Herbert C. C. Morse,| 
Edwin A. C. Morse,^[ 
Sylvester G. P. Morse,** 
Henry M. H. Morse,tf 



I E. April , 1861. 
) M. 1861. 

E. 1862. 
) M. Sept. 19, 1862. 
I E. April 2i, 1864. 
I M. April 21, 1864. 
( E. Nov. , 1861. 
j M. 1861. 

E. April 20, 1861. 
) M. June 26, 1861. 
( E. Sept. 19, 1862. 
I M. 

I E. Aug. 17, 1862. 
)M. 

\ E. July 25, 1862. 
{ M. 



3 yrs. 
9 mos. 
3 yrs. 



9 mos. 



12 


F 


50 


K 


59 


« 


30 


E 


12 


F 


50 


K 


35 


G 


17 


F 



Priv. 



seat of war, and died in the hospital at Georgetown, D.C., Oct. 25, 1862. 
Buried in Topsfield, Nov. iS, 1862. 

■ * Born in Boxford, Nov. 23, 1S28. Son of Thomas S. and Sarah (Par- 
ker) Hovey. Lives in Boxford. 

t Born in Ipswich, July 22, 1824. Son of Abel and Margaret (Bixby) 
Howe. Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. 

J Born in Boxford, Sept. 3, 1S45. ^ on 0I Oliver P. and Catharine C. 
Killam. Left Readville, April 26, 1864. Was in several battles. Taken 
prisoner May 24, 1864, at the battle of North Anna River ; was carried 
to Richmond ; in hospital there three months ; then paroled, and sent to 
Annapolis, Md. ; remained there until Oct. 4, 1864, when he died with 
typhoid-fever. Buried in West Boxford. 

§ Born in Salem, Aug. 16, 1845. Son °* Thomas B. and Maria L. Masury. 
Went in Gen. Butler's division to New Orleans, La. Died of chronic diar- 
rhoea in United States barrack hospital, New Orleans, April 6, 1S62 (State 
records say Feb. 6, 1S63). 

|| Born in Boxford, Sept. 17, 1840. Son of Samuel and Mary (Parker) 
Morse. He served in all the active service of the regiment until he was 
taken prisoner by the rebels at the battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, and 
imprisoned in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va., where he died, March 13, 1S64. 

TT Born in Boxford, June 17, 1825. Brother to the above. Discharged at 
the expiration of term of service, Aug. 27, 1S63. Lives in Georgetown, Mass. 

** Born in Boxford, Aug. 5, 1829. Brother to the above. Was in battles 
of South Mountain, Sept. 14, and Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S62. In the battle 
last mentioned, he was severely wounded in the knee ; and, for that reason, 
was discharged from service Jan. 24, 1863. Lives in Bradford, Mass. 

tt Born in Boxford, June 2, 1833. Brother to the above. He was dis- 
charged because of disease contracted in the service, Jan. 30, 1863. Lives in 
Pueblo, Col. 



HISTORY OF. BOXFORD. 



321 



NAMES. 


Enusted 

. AND 

Mustered into 
Service. 


Period 
of 

Service. 


H 
V. 

a 
S 

O 
a 
Pi 


> 

v. 
< 

S 
c 
U 


8 i 

f- 2 

£ h 
Z O 


S. Gardner S. Morse,* 
William H. Newhall.f 
Chandler L. Parker,^: 
Gilman P. Parker,§ 
Thomas B. Parker, || 


1 E. April 26, 1 861. ) 
1 M. luly 22, 1861. ) 
\ E. Oct. , 1862. ) 
\ M. Oct. 6, 1862. ( 
i E. June 12, 1861. i 
1 M. J 
\ E. April 20, 1861. ) 
I M. June 26, 1861. ) 
I E. Aug. 20, 1864. ( 
1M. i 


3 yrs. 
9 mos. 
3 yrs. 


17 

50 

12 


F 
K 

F 


Cor. 
Priv. 
Mus. 
Priv. 
Cor. 



* Born in Boxford, Oct. 14, 1837. Brother to the preceding. Promoted 
to sergeant, Oct. 1, 1S63, and was " color-sergeant " of the regiment for one 
year. Was in battles of Kinston, Whitehall, Goldsborough, and Winton, 
all in North Carolina. Wounded in the shoulder by a shell, at battle at 
Blount's Mills, April 9, 1S63. Had a furlough of twenty-five days, com- 
mencing Sept. 215, to come home. Arrived home 30th; was taken sick soon 
after, and was not able to return to his regiment Jan. 1, 1864. Served until 
discharged at the expiration of his term of service, Aug. 3, 1S64. 

t Born in Lynn, Mass., Jan. 23, 1821. Son of Samuel and Mary Newhall. 
Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. 

I Born in Boxford, Feb. 13, 1837. Son of Aaron L. and Priscilla (Buzzell) 
Parker. Enlisted in the Second Regiment of the Rhode Island Infantry, as 
musician. Was in first battle of Bull Run, in all the battles and skirmishes 
of the "seven-days' fight," at Williamsburg, and other battles; and was dis- 
charged Aug. 11, 1S62. He re-enlisted in Fiftieth Regiment of Massa- 
chusetts Infantry, as musician, Sept. 19, 1862, and served until expiration of 
term of service, and was discharged Aug. 27, 1863. After the close of the 
war, Mr. Parker received a commission as "band-master" of the Eighth 
Massachusetts Regiment, in which capacity he served for the period of two 
years. Lives in Haverhill, Mass. ; leader of the Groveland Brass Band. 

§ Born in Boxford, July 21, 1839. Brother to the above. Was in first 
battle of Fredericksburg, last battle of Bull Run, and in all the active service 
of the Twelfth Regiment until the winter of 1862-63. Was wounded in the 
breast at Bull Run. Was stricken with paralysis in winter of 1S62-63, and, 
soon after, was transferred to the Invalid Corps, in which he served as Com- 
missary Sergeant until expiration of term of service, and was discharged 
July 8, 1864. Lives in Bradford, Mass. 

|| Born in Boxford, July 29, 1826. Brother to the above. Enlisted in 
Company M, Fourth Regiment, Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Aug. 20, 
1864, and served as corporal until the close of the war ; and was discharged 
June 17, 1S65. Lives in Georgetown, Mass. 



322 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

AND 

Mustered into 
Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


H 
Z 

w 
3 

W 


>• 
2; 
«<: 

s 



u 


^ 

H 2 
<2 f- 

2 O 


John B. Parker,* 
George W. Peabody,f 
Joseph B. Perkins, :£ 
Albert E. Perley,§ 
Asa K. Perley, || 
Thomas P. Perley.^j 


t E. Feb. , 1864. ) 
/M. j 
| E. , 1861. ) 
( M. June 11, 1S61. ) 
\ E. Sept. 22, 1861. ) 
/ M. Sept. 22, 1861. j 
t E. 1862. ) 
) M. Sept. 25, 1862. j 
E. 1862. 1 
| M. Sept. 19, 1862. j 
( E. 1862. ) 
j M. Sept. 19, 1862. j 


3 yrs. 

« 

9 mos. 

M 

it 


58 

I I 

23 

48 

50 
u 


F 
I 
G 
D 

K 

it 


Priv. 
Ser. 
Priv. 

K 

a 

a 



* Born in Boxford, Jan 13, 1834. Brother to the preceding. Was in 
active service at the front for only twenty-eight days ; but, during that time, 
was under fire for ten days, and was in battles of the Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania, North Anna River, and Cold Harbor. In the last battle he was shot 
through the leg, seriously injuring the bone, and was obliged to lie in the 
hospital until May 17, 1865, when he was discharged (by order of the War 
Department) for disability caused by his wound. Lives in Brockton, Mass. 

t Born in Boxford, Feb. 26, 1S36. Son of John and Henrietta S. (Baker) 
Peabody. Was in fourteen battles. Was appointed standard-bearer at the 
first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1861 ; carried the colors until the last battle 
of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862, when he was wounded by a piece of shell in 
his side. Transferred to Company D, First Regiment Invalid Corps, Oct. 
27, 1S63. Jan. 1, 1S64, had the command of five corporals and twenty-eight 
privates, guarding Aqueduct Bridge at Georgetown, D.C. Lives in Chelsea, 
Mass. 

\ Born in Middleton, Feb. 27, 1826. Son of Berry and Betsey (Ray) 
Perkins. Was sick and unable to do military duty most of the time. Was 
employed as nurse in the hospital at Fortress Monroe, Va., and Newbern, 
N.C. Discharged by reason of physical disability, June 2, 1862. 

§ Born in Boxford, June 8, 1S45. Son of Albert and Hannah (Hayward) 
Terley. Went in Gen. Banks' division to New Orleans ; from thence to 
Baton Rouge. Wounded in right arm in battle at Port Hudson, May 27, 
1863. Arrived home Aug. 23, and mustered out of service Sept. 3, 1S63. 
Re-enlisted in the Heavy Artillery, Aug. 26, 1S64. Died in Danvers, April 
21, 1877. 

|| Born in Georgetown, Mass., April 4, 1S37. Son of Elbridge and Sarah 
(Kimball) Perley. Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. Died of fever, 
Aug. 16, 1863. 

If Born in Boxford, Aug. 19, 1S40. Brother to the above. Went in Gen. 
Banks' division to New Orleans ; was sick and unfit for duty ever after he 
left New York on his passage out. Died on the Mississippi River, on his 
way home, Aug. 3, 1863, near Helena, Ark., where he was buried. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



323 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


f- 
a 

3 

M 


> 

z 


u 


~ 

™ 2 

z 

W Ph 


William E. Perley,* 
Thomas A. Perley,f 
Enoch K. Robinson, £ 
William H. Rugg,§ 
Leonard C. Savage, || 
John Sawyer,^]" 
Charles L. Smith,** 


I E. Aug. 2, 1862. ) 
/ M. Aug. 2, 1862. J 
\ E. Aug. 24, 1862. ) 
1 M. Sept. 15, 1862. i 
I E. Aug. , 1862. 
| M. Aug. , 1862. j 
jE. 1 
1 M. June 26, 1861. I 
( E. Nov. 19, 1861. ) 
| M. Nov. 19, 1861. ) 
E. July 28, 1862. ) 
( M.July 28, 1862. J 
i E. Sept. 20, 1862. | 
j M. Sept. 24, 1862. J 


3 yrs- 
9 mos. 

3 y r s- 
<< 

K 
<( 

a 


35 
50 

35 

12 

30 
33 
48 


F Priv. 
A " 

F " 

tt u 

C « 
F " 
B « 



* Born in Boxford, Oct. 2, 1S42. Brother to the preceding. Was in battle 
at South Mountain, Sept. 14, and Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862. Was at capture 
of Jackson, Miss., May 14, at surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, and in battle 
at Knoxville, Tenn., Dec, 1863. 

t Born in New-York City, Sept. 15, 1845. Son of Augustus and Adeline 
Perley. Service, same as S. H. Batchelder's. 

\ Born in Boxford, Nov. 16, 1S42. Son of Benjamin and Rebecca F. Rob- 
inson. Enlisted as one of the quota of Newburyport. * Sick in the hospital 
most of the time. In June, 1863, was in Portsmouth Grove Hospital, R.I. 
Remained there until Dec. 31, 1863 ; was then removed to McDougal Hospi- 
tal, Fort Schuyler, N.Y. Had a pass of three days to come home, June 2, 
1863, and another in October. Had a furlough of eight days to come home 
Nov. 25, 1S63. 

§ Born in Boxford, April 2, 1S40. Son of William and Mary O. Rugg. 
from Lancaster, N.H. Had been engaged in ten battles up to June, 1863, 
Taken prisoner by the rebels at battle of Gettysburg, July 1, 1S63 ; and 
imprisoned on Belle Island. Lives in California. 

|| Born in Boxford, April 27, 1839. Son of Johnson and Mary Savage. 
Went in Gen. Butler's division to New Orleans. Died at Salisbury, N.H., 
Dec. 30, 1S64. 

TT Born in Boxford, June 5, 1843. Son of John and Elizabeth L. Sawyer. 
Was detailed as one of the Ambulance Corps, 1863. Taken prisoner, and 
died at Andersonville Prison, Aug. 7, 1864. 

** Born in Boxford, July 2, 1846. Son of Calvin and Elizabeth (Pearce) 
Smith. Was sick and unable to leave Massachusetts with his regiment ; 
went soon after as far as Fortress Monroe, Va., but was unable to go 
farther ; went into the Hospital Chesapeake ; staid eleven weeks ; then sent 
home by the surgeon, June 8, 1S63. Mustered out of service, Sept. 3, 1S63. 
Re-enlisted in 2d Heavy Artillery, 12th Co., Nov. 16, 1863 (mustered ten 
days after), as a veteran volunteer; and Jan. 1, 1S64, was stationed at Fort 
Pickering, Salem, Mass. 



324 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

and 

Mustered into 

Service. 


Period 

of 
Service. 


2 

3 
u 


>• 

< 

b 

u 


z - 

H 2 

Z 

W fc 


George C. Smith,* 
Sylvester C. Smith,f 
Aaron Spofford, $ 
Daniel W. Spofford,§ 
Hervey M. Spofford,|| 
David M. Sullivan,^" 


1 E. Sept. 23, 1861. ) 
| M. Sept. 23, 1861. J 

E. Nov. 19, 1861. ) 
I M. Nov. 19, 1861. ) 
i E. June 11, 1861. ) 
t M. June 26, 1861. J 

E. Aug. 9, 1861. ) 
t M. Aug. 11, 1861. j 
| E. July 17, 1863. * 
) M. Aug. , 1863. S 
( E. Aug. 2, 1862. I 
( M. Aug. 2, 1862. ) 


3 yrs. 
« 

a 
« 


23 
30 

12 

33 


G 
C 
E 

A 

11 


Priv. 

a 
(« 
« 

« 



* Born in Boxford, March 17, 1S36. Brother to the preceding. Was in all 
the battles that the Twenty-third Regiment was in, up to May 1, 1S63. Was 
at Newport News, Va., Dec. 31, 1863. Was in front of Petersburg from 
April 13 to Aug. 15, 1864 ; then went to Newbern. Left for home, Sept. 27. 
Mustered out of service, Oct. 13, 1864. 

t Born in Boxford, March 21, 1844. Son of Erastus and Judith A. Smith. 
Went in Gen. Butler's division to New Orleans, La. Was sick most of 
the time after he went out. Steward in United States Hospital, New 
Orleans, April, 1863.* 

i Born in Boxford, April 20, 1833. Son of Aaron and Betsey F. Spofford. 
Killed in last battle of Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862. 

§ Born in Boxford, Nov. 30, 1834. Brother to the above. Was in battle 
on the Peninsula ; in the seven-days' battle before Richmond ; wounded in 
battle of Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S62 ; and entered the hospital, where he 
remained until Oct. 12, when he again joined his regiment. The following is 
an incident of the battle of Antietam : Phineas F. Spofford, an elder 
brother and a regimental officer in the Rebel army, acting colonel at the 
close of the war, was stationed in that portion of the Southern army that 
was in direct antagonism to the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, in 
which his brother Daniel W. served. Learning the fact that his brother 
Daniel was one of his opponents, an interview was effected ; and together 
they spent the night following the battle in a neighboring barn, reviewing the 
past and present situation, and recalling the memory of their brother who 
had previously fallen a victim to the fratricidal strife. 

|| Born in Boxford, April 9, 1843. Son of Charles A. and Sarah H. 
Spofford. He enlisted in the Second Heavy Artillery, 8th Co., July 17, 
1863 ; July 15, he was drafted, but the news of the draft did not reach him 
until after he enlisted. Detailed to go to Alexandria as guard, September, 
1863. Was stationed on Long Island, Boston Harbor, Mass., unfit for duty, 
Jan. 1, 1864. 

IT Born in Fall River, Mass., April 15, 1846. Son of Daniel Sullivan. 
Died at Lookout Valley, Tenn., of chronic diarrhoea, March 1, 1864. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



325 



NAMES. 


Enlisted 

AND 

Mustered into 
Service. 


Period 
of 

Service. 


i- 

V. 

a 
a 
P< 



u 


z - 

" 2 

2 H 

^ 

W PL, 


John N. Towne,* 
Samuel E. Twisden,f 
Philip A. Welch,$ 
Henry Williams,§ 


J E. July 21, 1861. I 
1 M. 1861. | 
J E. Aug. 1, 1862. i 
I M. 1862. | 
E. May , 1861. ) 
) M. July , 1861. ( 
t E. April 22, 1861. \ 
\M. \ 


3 yrs. 
<< 

u 


14 

33 

12 

2 


I) 
11 
I) 
c 


Priv. 
«< 

<< 
Cor. 



Only five men, as far as we have ascertained, were in the 
navy from Boxford, whose names, services, &c, we give, 
viz. : — 

1. John Canavan. Entered service, Aug. 9. 1864, on 
steamer Rhode-Island. 

2. Michael Doyle. Born in Boston. Entered service, 
July 4, 1 86 1. Enlisted on board the receiving-ship Ohio, 
then went on board the Pensacola, in which ship he served 
till he was discharged at the expiration of two years. 

3. William Langdon. Entered service July 26, 1864, on 
the ship Ohio. Substitute for Mr. William P. Cleaveland. 
Discharged July 8, 1867. 

4. Michael Ney. Entered service Sept. 15, 1864. Sub- 
stitute for Mr. Horace Berry. Discharged Aug. 15, 1868. 

5. Benjamin Stone Twisden. Born in Lynn, March 5, 
1838. Son of Samuel and Hannah Twisden. Entered 
service, 1861. First served on steamer Huron ; was trans- 



* Born in Salem, Nov. 24, 1816. Son of Jacob and Hannah Towne. He 
was detailed from the regiment, July, 1863, as provost guard to take charge 
of the drafted men on Long Island, Boston Harbor, Mass. Lives in George- 
town. 

t Born in Lynn, Dec. 1, 1844. Son of Samuel and Hannah Twisden. 
Went in Gen. Hooker's division in the Army of the Potomac. 

t Born in South Berwick, Me., 1844. 

§ Born in Pennsylvania. Was in Gen. Banks' retreat, 1S62. Was in 
battle of Cedar Mountain ; and Antietam, Sept. 17, 1S62. Sick from Dec, 
1862, to March, 1863. 



326 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

ferred to steamer Connecticut, which plied between New 
York and New Orleans. Taken sick, and sent to the hos- 
pital at Brooklyn, N.Y., where he died of disease of the 
throat, Nov. 24, 1862. 

The following men were drafted at Lawrence, July 15, 
1863, but never entered actual service. They, or most of 
them, were stationed for about a month at the fort in Salem. 
The facts regarding their discharge, &c, will be found in 
the footnotes. Some of them were already in the service, 
one was dead, two were non-residents, and one was re- 
placed by a substitute. 

Martin L. Ames, % Charles R. Anderson,* John G. 
Bailey,f George E. Carleton.f Franklin E. Day,§§ Joshua 
G. Day,| Joseph K. Farley,f Charles O. Foster, f Roscoe 
W. Gage,f John Hale, jun.,ff John G. Harriman,f Alonzo 
J. Henly, || || George P. Hobson,** Daniel H. Keezer,|| 
Henry J. Kimball,f Herbert C. C. Morse,! Samuel G. 
Morse,$ Gilman P. Parker, % John V. Robinson, § Enoch K. 
Robinson,| David M. Spofford.ff Thomas L. Spofford,t 
Albert W. Stevens.ft William G. Todd,|t Oliver B. Welch,^[ 
and William H. Wood.f 

The Rebellion is so recent, that the recital of the 
incidents connected with the various battles in which our 
volunteers took part is needless. 

Adjutant-Gen. Schouler, in his History of Massachusetts 

* Exempted by the Board of Enrolment, Aug. 19, 1863. 

t Exempted Aug. 20. 

% In service. 

|| Exempted Aug. 3 ; non-resident. 

§ Exempted Aug. 31. 

If Exempted, Aug. 22. 

** Dead. 

ft Exempted. 

\X Replaced by a substitute, Aug. 25. 

|| || Commuted for Aug. 28. 

§§ Exempted by the Board, Aug. 7 ; non-resident. 

— Rebellion Record: B oxford. 




SOLDIERS' MONUMENT. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 327 

in the Civil War, says : " There were no commissioned 
officers from Boxford. Ninety-two men were in the ser- 
vice, a surplus of five over all demands." 

The whole amount of money appropriated and expended 
by the town on account of the war, exclusive of State aid, 
was $10,756.35. State aid paid in 1861, $367.60; in 1862, 
$1,170; in 1863, $1,184; i n 1864, $1,097.71 ; and in 1865, 
$1,150. 

The ladies of Boxford were active all through the war, 
in adding to the comfort of the soldiers at the front, and 
forwarded through the Sanitary and Christian Commissions 
on several occasions underclothing, quilts, pillow-cases, 
dried apples, jellies, newspapers, and other comforts for 
the sick and wounded. 

In 1874 Jonathan Tyler Barker, Esq., gave the West 
Parish $1,000 toward the erection of a soldiers' monument. 
Various persons in the town added the necessary amount of 
money, and a granite monument was erected in the spring 
of 1875. Its whole cost was $2,017.19. It was dedicated 
on Memorial Day, May 29, 1875, with appropriate cere- 
monies. The height of the monument is about twenty 
feet, and the base four and a half feet square. 

The following is the inscription on the front face of the 
monument : — 

IN MEMORY OF 

OUR PATRIOT SOLDIERS. 

WAR OF 1S61. 

ERECTED BY THE 

MUNIFICENCE OF THE LATE 



J. TYLER BARKER 



OF NORTH ANDOVER. 
1873- 



3 2 8 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

The following inscription is on the right-hand side 

.-* BOXFORD ^ 



A. SPOFFORD JR DIED 

AUG 30th 
S. H. BROWN died OCT 3d 
C. W. COLE died MARCH 3d 
T. P. PERLEY died AUG 4th 



C. L. FOSTER 
A. K. PERLEY 

J. R. CHADWICK ' 
H. C. C. MORSE ' 
G. H. GAGE 
J. G. DAY 
J. F. COLE 

D. BUTLER 
H. A. KILLAM 

D. M. ANDERSON 



" 8th 

. " 16th 

SEPT 5th 

MAR 13th 

MAY 10th 

•JUNE 8th 

" 13th 

SEPT 13th 

OCT 14th 

MARCH 8th 



1863 



The West-Parish names are continued on the back, as 
follows : 



& * 0XF0RD *4^ 



* 



GEO. E. CARLETON. DIED. 

JAN. 27th 1875. 



The following is the inscription on the left-hand side, 
containing the names of the dead East-Parish soldiers : — 



vv 



*& 



PARISH 



M. L. AMES died 

J. Q. BATCHELDER " 
O. F. CURTIS 

A. A. FRYE 
W. A. GURLEY 
M. HALE 

H. HALE 

T. A. MASURY 

J. SAWYER jr 

L. C. SAVAGE 

D. M. SULLIVAN " 

B. S. TWISDEN 



***** 

SEPT. 8 
OCT. 17 
JUNE 8 
DEC. 27 
MAY 22 
AUG. i S 
FEB. 6 
6 



AUG. 
DEC. 



1863 



MARCH 1, " 
NOV. 24, 186: 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 3^9 

It will be seen by these inscriptions that the names of 
the East-Boxford soldiers were also added. 

At a parish-meeting held May 2, 1875, it was "Resolved, 
that the members of this parish will ever cherish a grateful 
remembrance of the generosity of the late Mr. Barker in 
thus making provision for the erection of a monument 
in memory of the soldiers, resident in this parish, who fell 
during the recent civil war. Their hope is, that the daily 
sight of this monument, while serving to keep alive a 
sentiment of gratitude for Mr. Barker, and for the soldiers 
whose patriotism and bravery it commemorates, will also 
quicken their love for the common country, and the dispo- 
sition to labor for its good." — Records of Second Parish. 

During the beginning of the Rebellion a number of the 
regiments of the Massachusetts volunteers were quartered 
on the old training-ground near the past residence of Mr. 
Charles C. Stevens, their quarters being known as Camp 
Stanton. This fact has given Boxford more notoriety, 
perhaps, than any thing else of equal importance. The 
same ground has been used from time to time for more 
than a hundred years for the same purpose. In 1868, 
the annual muster was also held here; and, though the 
governor endeavored to obtain the use of the ground for 
the like purpose again, the town voted against it because 
of the soldiers' depredations upon their vegetable-gardens 
and hen-roosts. 

William Dale, Surgeon-General of the State of Massa- 
chusetts, says, " Boxford is the most patriotic town in the 
Union, i.e., according to the number of inhabitants." By 
this reliable testimony, which is but another witness to 
the fact, it is proved that the law of hereditaments is true, 
and the feeling that put life into the acts of our patriot 
sires was prominent in their posterity to the third and 
fourth generation. Several of those who suffered and bled 
in the Rebellion are still with us ; and that philanthropy 



33° HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and love of country which guided them in that hour of 
danger should be reverenced and blessed by those for 
whom they fought. Loyal indeed were those hearts that 
first conceived the celebration of Decoration Day ; and 
noble will be those who will assist in the annual anniver- 
sary, as generation after generation passes along old 
Time's path. 



CHAPTER XV. 
1860-1879. 

Rev. Mr. Coggin's Pastorate. — His Dismission and Ministry. 

— First-Church Covenant. — Rev. Mr. Gammell settled. 

— New East-Parish Parsonage. — " Mary Ann Peabody 
Sunday-School Library." — Rev. Mr. Park's Dismission 
and Ministry. — Rev. Charles M. Peirce settled. — His 
Dismission and Ministry. — Tyler's Bequest to the Second 
Parish. — High-School Bequest. — United-States Circuit 
Court Jurymen. — Kimball and Sawyer's Mill. — West- 
Parish Parsonage. — Rev. James McLean settled. — His 
Dismission. — Rev. Charles L. Hubbard settled. — Second- 
Church Sunday School. — Ordination of a Deaf-Mute. — 
Harriman's Hall, Store, and Post-Office. — Parkhurst's 
Store. — Public Library. — Musical Talent. — Boxford 
Brass Band. — New Business Places. — Occupation of the 
Inhabitants. — Politics. — Population. 

(Et/ff?€$i S pastor of the First Church, Mr. Coggin saw its 
t^/ V{ numDers an d spirituality augmented. Retaining 
jf^jpp ^yS the love and confidence of his people, the 
U^/^MM twenty-fifth anniversary of his settlement was 
observed May 9, 1863, with appropriate exercises. The 
neighboring ministers, special friends of the pastor, and 
many others were present, and assisted in making it an 
interesting and happy day. The audience was large and 
appreciative. The memorial address delivered by the 
pastor upon that day was published, and forms the only 
published production of his pen that we have seen. After 
this time his health began to fail, and, when two or three 

331 



332 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

years more of service had passed, he felt that he must not 
be confined to the pulpit and the other duties incumbent 
upon a pastor's life. Therefore, Nov. 3, 1867, he sent in 
a formal letter expressing his desire to be dismissed from 
his position. Mr. Coggin was accordingly granted his 
dismission, which was to take effect on the 9th of the 
following May (1868). His farewell sermon was preached 
May 3, 1868. During his ministry of thirty years, one 
hundred and seventy-four persons united with the church. 

Among the resolutions passed by the church on account 
of Mr. Coggin's leaving the ministry is the following: — 

'■'■Resolved, That in reviewing the thirty years' ministry, now nearly 
closed, we have abundant reason for gratitude to the great Head of 
the Church, for sending us one who has labored so earnestly and 
faithfully to promote the temporal and eternal good of this people, 
and for crowning his labors with so good a degree of success ; and, 
in the prospect of parting with our pastor, we pledge our best wishes 
and earnest prayers, that his health may be strengthened and con- 
firmed, so that he may yet for many years be useful in the Church 
and in the world ; that his last days may be his best days, and that he 
may finally be gathered with those who, having ' turned many to 
righteousness, shall shine as the stars forever.' " 

The following are extracted from the resolutions passed 
by the parish to the same purport as the above : — 

"Resolved, That we recognize in our beloved pastor, our spiritual 
guide and teacher, a man who has ever been faithful in his Master's 
service, not failing to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men 
hear or forbear. In his pastoral relations with this people we shall 
ever cherish the most grateful and pleasant recollections of him as a 
Christian gentleman. His ever-ready sympathy and his uniform 
urbanity is most aptly expressed by the poet, — 

' In his duty prompt at every call, 
He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all.' 

"Resolved, That, while reviewing the pleasant relations between 
our pastor and his flock, we would especially recognize in his beloved 
partner one who, by her active co-operation with her husband, has 
been greatly instrumental in producing results so felicitous. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 333 

"Resolved, That the Rev. Mr. Coggin and his excellent partner 
will ever retain a strong hold upon the love and respect of this peo- 
ple; and it is our earnest desire and prayer that life's evening with 
them both may be crowned with Heaven's richest blessings." 

We would not add to the above resolutions. They con- 
tain a plain description of the character of Rev. Mr. Coggin 
as a minister and as a gentleman. Content to live with 
the people of his charge, he still remains among them, 
sometimes officiating in the pulpit, and pursuing his pas- 
toral visits, though under the name of friendly calls, the 
same as in the past. 

Rev. William Symmes Coggin was son of Rev. Jacob 
Coggin of Tewksbury, where he was born, Nov. 27, 1812. 
His mother was Mary Symmes, a lineal descendant of the 
first minister (Rev. Thomas Symmes). He graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1834, at the age of twenty-two years. 
He married Miss Mary Clark ; and, having no children of 
their own, they adopted their young nephew, Samuel 
Kidder Coggin (son of his brother David Coggin), who 
was drowned while skating, Dec. 16, 1857. 

Feb. 19, 1868, the following confession of faith and 
covenant, which is yet in use, was adopted by the First 
Church : — 

" Confession of Faith. 

" Recognizing the unity of the Church of Christ in all the world, 
and extending to all true believers the hand of Christian fellowship, 
we confess with them our faith in these great fundamental truths in 
which all Christians should agree. 

" We accept the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the 
Word of God, composed by holy men of old, as they were moved by 
the Holy Ghost. 

" We profess our faith in one God, the Father, the Son, and the 
Holy Spirit, — the Creator, Preserver, and Ruler of all. 

" We confess the common sinfulness and ruin of our race, and 
acknowledge that it is only through the life and expiatory death of 
Christ that any are justified before God, receive the remission of sins, 
and, through the presence and power of the Holy Comforter, are 
delivered from the pow.er of sin, and perfected in holiness 



334 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

"We believe in an organized and visible Church ; in the ministry 
of the Word ; in the sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper ; 
in the resurrection of the dead ; and in a future judgment, the issues 
of which are eternal life and everlasting punishment. 

" Covenant. 

"Accepting this faith, you do now, in the presence of God and this 
assembly, solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah to be your God, the 
supreme object of your affections, and your portion forever ; you con- 
fess with sincere contrition your sins against his law and love; you 
trust alone in the Lord Jesus Christ, his only Son, for pardon and 
redemption ; and, relying upon the promised help of the Holy Spirit 
to keep you to the end, you consecrate yourselves unreservedly to a 
life of love to God and man." 

Shortly after Mr. Coggm's resignation, the parish ex- 
tended an invitation to Rev. Sereno D. Gammell of 
Charlestown, which was accepted July i, 1868. 

Rev. Mr. Gammell was accordingly ordained over the 
society, Sept. 9, 1868. The following were the exercises 
of the ordination : Invocation, and reading of the Scrip- 
tures, by Rev. Anson McLoud, of Topsfield ; sermon, by 
Rev. J. E. Rankin of Charlestown ; ordaining prayer, by 
Rev. E. N. Kirk, D.D., of Boston ; charge to the pastor, 
by Rev. William S. Coggin ; right hand of fellowship, by 
Rev. B. F. Hamilton of North Andover ; address to the 
people, by Rev. C. B. Rice of Danvers ; and concluding 
prayer, by Rev. David Bremner. 

Rev. Sereno Dwight Gammell, born in Charlestown, 
Mass., March 2, 1842, was son of Rev. John and Susan 
W. (Mayhew) Gammell. His mother belonged to the 
family of that name whose missionary life on Martha's 
Vineyard is well known. Mr. Gammell entered Amherst 
College at the age of eighteen years, in i860, and graduated 
in 1865; then entered the Theological Seminary at An- 
dover, and graduated in 1868. His collegiate course was 
somewhat broken by his service in the Rebellion. He 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



335 



at first enlisted as a sergeant in Company E, Forty-seventh 
Regiment, M.V., and was afterwards first lieutenant in 
Company F, Fourth Regiment, M.V., Heavy Artillery. 

Rev. Mr. Gammell still occupies the pulpit, with the 
prospect of years' continuance in the future. During his 
ministry to Jan. I, 1879, sixty-two persons have been 
admitted to the church, a large part of them by profession. 
May his ministry of the truth redound with glory to the 
Deity ! 

For the convenience and necessity of a parsonage, steps 
were taken in 1869 for procuring a fund with which to 
build one in the East Parish. The money was quickly 
subscribed, and a nice, commodious, and substantial dwell- 
ing, with other necessary buildings, were built the next 
year. The following is a copy of the subscription-list 
(many others, whose names are not included, lent their 
own manual labor and teams to the work) : — 



Mrs. Sarah Sawyer . . 
William N. Cleaveland . 
Capt. Samuel Kimball 
Moses Dorman and wife 
Deacon Julius A. Palmer 
John Sawyer .... 
Charles Sawyer . . . 
Deacon Samuel Bixby 
Daniel Andrews . . 
Benjamin S. Barnes . 
Jefferson Kimball . . 
Augustus E. Batchelder 
Daniel Gould . . . 
Israel Herri ck . . . 
Messrs. Byam and Carl 

ton 

Major Samuel Perley 



500 


00 


360 


00 


350 


00 


300 


00 


300 


00 


300 


00 


IOO 


00 


IOO 


00 


100 


00 


100 


00 


100 


00 


100 


00 


IOO 


00 


100 


00 


100 


00 


IOO 


00 



Deacon John K. Cole . $75 00 
Samuel Andrews and sis- 
ters 

Solomon W. Howe 
Edward Howe . 
Jacob P. Palmer 
Samuel N. Ayers 
Major William Low 
William Sawyer 
Isaac Hale . . 
Henry Newhall . 
Leverett S. Howe 
Charles C. Stevens 
William A. Howe 
William E. Killam 
Peter Strout . . 

Total $3,723 74 



50 


OO 


50 


00 


50 


00 


50 


00 


50 


00 


50 


00 


50 


00 


50 


00 


26 


24 


25 


00 


25 


00 


25 


00 


25 


00 


12 


50 



The Sunday school connected with the First Church 
have a library of two hundred and fifty volumes. It was 



33$ HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the gift of Mary Ann Peabody, an earnest Christian 
worker, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bradstreet) Pea- 
body, who died Jan. 22, 1865 ; and is known as the " Mary 
Ann Peabody Library." 

April 9, 1859, Rev. Mr. Park resigned his charge over 
the Second Church and Society. A council was convened 
May 4, when, on account of the inability of the society to 
pay more than a mere nominal salary, his request was 
granted. He preached his farewell sermon on the first 
sabbath in June, 1859. Mr Park's labors were judicious, 
faithful, and unremitting ; and under his hands the church 
had been materially enlarged and strengthened. The cir- 
cumstances under which he found it, on account of the 
age and infirmity of Dr. Eaton, were disadvantageous ; and, 
under the severe embarrassments with which his pastorate 
had been prosecuted, his measure of success is evidence of 
" rare devotion, zeal, and patience, as well as wisdom." * 
The people were reluctant to dissolve the connection be- 
tween them, but necessity compelled them to do so. He 
continued to occupy the pulpit some time after, and has 
ever since occasionally preached there. He still continues 
to reside near to the church, where he has a private school 
for young men, and is also engaged in literary labors. 

Rev. Calvin Emmonds Park was born in Providence, 
R.I., Dec. 30, 181 1. His parents were Rev. Calvin and 
Abigail (Ware) Park. Mr. Park was ordained over the 
church at Waterville, Me., Oct. 31, 1838; he was dismissed 
in 1844, and two years later, as already stated, was settled 
as colleague with Dr. Eaton, in Boxford. 

Thus the society was left without a settled minister. 
April 9, 1 86 1, the church voted to extend a call to Rev. 
Lucius Root Eastman, jun., of Needham ; but he declined 
the invitation the following August. March 24, 1863, the 
church voted to invite Rev. Charles M. Peirce of Hinsdale, 

* Church Records. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 337 

Mass., who was still pursuing his studies at the Theologi- 
cal Seminary at Andover, to become their pastor. Mr. 
Peirce consented, and his ordination took place Sept. 2, 
1863. The exercises of the occasion were as follows, viz. : 
Invocation, and reading of the Scriptures, by Rev. E. C. 
Hooper of Newburyport ; prayer, by Rev. L. Thompson of 
West Amesbury ; ordaining prayer, by Rev. S. C. Leonard 
of Andover ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. Anson McLoud 
of Topsfield ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. William M. 
Barber of South Dan vers (Peabody) ; address to the people, 
by Rev. William S. Coggin of the First Church ; conclud- 
ing prayer, by Rev. L. H. Cobb of North Andover ; and 
the benediction, by the pastor. 

Rev. Mr. Peirce continued in the ministry a few years, 
when, his wife being desirous of removing, and the salary 
small, he resigned his pastoral office June 23, 1867. In 
his letter of resignation he expresses his sorrow at the 
proposed separation. He says, " Here are the hallowed 
associations of my first pastorate, and tender ties bind 
my heart to those for whom I have labored." 

At his request, a council of pastors and delegates from 
the neighboring churches was convened July 17, when it 
was voted to dissolve the connection, as asked by Mr. 
Peirce. By the dissolution of this connection, the church 
lost an able and faithful pastor ; one who cared much for 
his Master's glory, and who sought to be his faithful ser- 
vant in the Christian's work. He was of sound discretion 
and Christian zeal, endowed with a fine scholarship, and 
rich ministerial gifts. Mr. Peirce was soon after settled in 
Middlefield. 

John Tyler of West Boxford died in November, 1872. 
In his will he bequeathed as follows : — 

"And all of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate, after the 
payment of the legacies aforenamed, and my funeral charges, and the 
charges and expenses of the settlement of my estate, I give and 



338 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. » 

bequeath to the religious society in West Boxford, where I usually 
worship, to be held as a perpetual fund, the income of which to be 
appropriated annually for the support of the gospel in said society 
forever." 

After the settlement of his estate, the fund was found to 
amount to about thirty thousand dollars. On receiving 
this bequest, the parish, April 8, 1873, passed the following 
resolutions : — 

" Resolved, That the parish of West Boxford accept with senti- 
ments of unaffected thankfulness the legacy bequeathed to them by 
the late Capt. John Tyler. 

"Resolved, That the parish recognize in this act of Capt. John 
Tyler a sign of the same liberality and the same cordial interest in 
the religious welfare of the parish which was ever manifested by him 
during his unusually protracted life ; and they rejoice that he felt him- 
self prompted to crown a long life of honest industry and well-doing 
by such an act of liberality, which they trust will continue to be 
fraught with great good to the parish, and will be gratefully remem- 
bered by all coming generations." 

The want of funds, which had been the cause of the 
irregularity of their preaching, by this bequest was annulled. 
This fund is sufficient to support the ministry, and leave a 
margin for the increase of the principal, which places the 
society in an independent position for the future. 

Jonathan Tyler Barker of North Andover died in May, 
1872. The following is an extract from his will: — 

" As my brothers and sisters are well supplied with property, I have 
therefore concluded to give my estate for the benefit of the youth. I 
therefore give, devise, and bequeath all my estate to establish and 
support a free school in the West Parish in the town of Boxford in 
said county of Essex. Said school is to be located northerly from 
the West Parish meeting-house, and as near the house where the late 
Thomas Hovey formerly lived as may be convenient. After defraying 
the expenses of building and furnishing a suitable house for said 
school, the remainder of my estate is to be kept in trust, and the 
income thereof is to be appropriated for the benefit and support of 
said school." 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 339 

The estate amounted to about fifty-eight thousand dol- 
lars. The will being contested by the heirs, a compro- 
mise was made between them and the trustees, the trustees 
receiving thirty thousand dollars for the school-fund. As 
soon as this fund is large enough, the school will be 
founded, and then our youth can receive a high-school 
education without going out of town. 

The first juryman from Boxford to the United-States 
Circuit Court, held at Boston for this district, was Frank- 
lin Jacques, who attended the winter session of 1873-74. 
The next winter, S. Porter Peabody attended. These are 
all the jurymen, we believe, that ever attended that court 
from Boxford. 

About twenty years since, the manufacture of pegs was 
an important enterprise of several of our business men. 
Capt. Samuel Kimball was undoubtedly the first one to 
originate the business in this vicinity. About i860, he 
raised the road (where the brook crosses it just north of 
his residence) high enough to form a dam, so as to be able 
to flow the meadow above. He was laughed at for his 
pains ; and, when the people spoke of his proceedings, they 
called it " Kimball's Folly." Nevertheless he finished his 
work, and, on the south side of the road, erected a building 
in which machinery was placed by one Jordan, its inventor, 
for the manufacture of pegs. Mr. Kimball entered upon 
the business, and turned out about twelve bushels a day. 
In 1862 he was joined by Mr. William Sawyer. They 
unitedly carried on the business till 1865, when they intro- 
duced the manufacture of box-boards, in connection with 
their peg-business. After this time, because of the intro- 
duction of more modern machinery, which would turn out 
pegs with greater celerity, and the numerical increase of 
manufactories, the peg-business of Messrs. Kimball and 
Sawyer gradually came to an end. They still pursued the 
box-business until the mill was burned in the spring of 



34° HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1875. Pegs' were also manufactured at the match-factory, 
and at the sawmill of Jacob Batchelder, where considera- 
ble business was done. Numerous ruins mark the sites of 
his dry-houses, &c. 

After Rev. Mr. Peirce's departure from the Second 
Church, the following successive " calls " were extended 
and refused, viz. : to Rev. Hilary Bygrave, who was then 
preaching there, March 25, 1873 ; Rev. F. D. Sargent of 
Brookline, N.H., Dec. 25, 1873 ; Rev. Theodore L. Day of 
Holyoke, Mass., June 10, 1874; Rev. Edward S. Huntress 
of Waltham, Jan. 3, 1875 ; and to Rev. Granville Yager of 
Boston, Feb. 20, 1876. 

In 1875 the West Parish built an elegant parsonage 
upon an eminence north-east from the church. It is in the 
Gothic style of architecture, and a handsome and commo- 
dious residence, doing honor to the tastes of the parish. 
The cost was about five thousand dollars. 

The Second Church, April 9, 1876, extended a call to 
Rev. James McLean of South Weymouth. Mr. McLean 
came, and preached the rest of the year to the entire satis- 
faction of the church, and was installed on Wednesday, 
Feb. 20, 1877, with the following exercises, viz.: Invoca- 
tion by Rev. William S. Coggin of the East Parish ; read- 
ing of the Scriptures, by Rev. Rufus C. Flagg of North 
Andover ; introductory prayer by Rev. D. T. Fisk, D.D., 
of Newburyport ; sermon by Rev. George E. Freeman of 
Abington ; installing prayer by Rev. C. E. Park (former 
pastor) ; right hand of fellowship, by Rev. S. D. Gammell 
of the First Church ; charge to the pastor, by Rev. David 
Bremner of Plaistow, N. H. ; address to the people, by Rev. 
J. D. Kingsbury of Bradford ; concluding prayer by Rev. 
Alfred F. Marsh of Georgetown ; and benediction by the 
pastor. 

Rev. Mr. McLean was the first occupant of the new 
parsonage. He was a native of Scotland, and had been 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 341 

settled at South Weymouth, Mass., and several other 
places. After being settled here in the ministry one year, 
Mr. McLean tendered his resignation. A council, consist- 
ing of pastors and delegates from the First Church in Box- 
ford, two churches in Haverhill, church in North Haverhill, 
Bradford, Byfield, and the Memorial Church in George- 
town, met May 17, 1878. Rev. W. S. Coggin was chosen 
moderator, and Rev. D. D. Marsh, scribe. After a pro- 
longed examination and hearing of the facts, the council 
came to the unanimous conclusion that the connection had 
better be dissolved the 1st of July following. The use 
of the parsonage was granted to Mr. McLean till the 1st of 
October ensuing. He has since been preaching in Grove- 
land, as the unstated pastor of the Congregationalist church 
there. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1879, one °f tne coldest days 
during the winter, Rev. Charles L. Hubbard of Merrimac, 
N.H., was installed over the Second Church. The exer- 
cises were as follows : Rev. Mr. Gay of Georgetown invoked 
the divine blessing ; Rev. Mr. Barnes read the Scriptures ; 
and Rev. Mr. Park offered prayer. The sermon was 
preached by Rev. E. Seldon of Manchester, N. H., on the 
subject of "The Human Side and the Supernatural Side of 
the Great Christian Doctrine." Rev. Mr. Kingsbury of 
Bradford offered the installing prayer ; Rev. George H. 
Ide of Lawrence gave the charge to the pastor ; and Rev. 
D. D. Marsh of Georgetown gave him the right hand of 
fellowship. Rev. Mr. Bremner of Boxford gave the charge 
to the people of the parish ; Rev. Mr. Paine of Groveland 
offered the closing prayer ; and the pastor installed pro- 
nounced the benediction. With the best wishes of his 
parish, Mr. Hubbard commences upon his pastorate. 

Rev. Charles Lawrence Hubbard, born in Candia, N. H., 
July 4, 1839, was son of Joshua P. and Adeline (Eaton) 
Hubbard. He was ordained over the church at Merrimac, 



34 2 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

N. H., Sept. i, 1868, and dismissed Nov. 17, 1878, with 
the regrets of his parish. 

The Sunday school — in connection with the Second 
Church — has a library of about two hundred volumes. 

In 1878 Mr. Samuel Rowe, a deaf-mute, and a resident 
of West Boxford, was ordained to the gospel ministry at 
the Second Church. This is said to be the first Congrega- 
tional deaf-mute ordained in this country. His field of 
labor comprises the State of Maine, and principally the 
vicinity of Portland. 

In 1870 Mr. D. Francis Harriman built a store near his 
residence in the West Parish, the second story of which is 
a hall, known as Harriman's Hall, in which entertainments 
are often held. This is the only store in the West Parish. 
The post-office was also incorporated there at the same 
time, Mr. William F. Harriman being postmaster. As no 
railroad is very near, the mail is transported by a mail-stage, 
which runs from Georgetown to Lawrence. 

In 1877 Mr. John Parkhurst, at the match-factory, 
founded a grocery-store for the accommodation of his 
employees. This makes three stores, all grocery, now 
in the town. 

In 1873 the Public Library was founded in the East 
Parish. The first contributions were made by A. E. 
Batchelder, Esq., of Boston, who manifested much interest 
in its welfare. The library now contains about six hundred 
volumes of works of various authors and subjects and char- 
acter, and is under the supervision of a board of trustees. 

For its musical talent, Boxford is especially noted. 
Nearly every family that is able is supplied with an 
organ, piano, or some such musical instrument. It would 
be improper not to mention, in connection with this part 
of our history, James Hamilton Howe, a native of the 
town, and a graduate of the New-England Conservatory 
of Music, and who is destined to become a prodigy in the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 343 

art. Mr. Elvin French, also a native of the town, noted 
as a musical director and teacher, returned to his old 
home, and, noticing the talents of the young men, con- 
ceived the idea of founding a brass-band. Rehearsals were 
weekly held ; and, the aspects becoming promising, a band 
of eighteen pieces was regularly organized Jan. 3, 1874, 
with Solomon W. Lowe as musical director and leader. 
During the ensuing summer they fulfilled numerous 
engagements with great satisfaction to their employers. 
Praised by the press and people for their recherche exe- 
cutions, they were encouraged to persevere in their exer- 
cises the following winter, at which time they were joined 
by four or five musicians from Topsfield. 

The present and comparatively recent business incor- 
porations, not before mentioned, are : Alonzo J. Henly, 
J. Horace Nason, Henry Newhall, Perley Brothers, and 
Frederic Thomas, blacksmiths ; J. Horace Nason, Perley 
Brothers, and Frederic Thomas, wheelwrights. A. J. Henly 
does business in the West Parish, his shop being situated 
near the church. J. Horace Nason runs the saw and grist 
mill of Jonathan J. Porter, near the Second Church, and has 
also near by a blacksmith's shop, and a department in the 
mill-building, where wheelwrighting is carried on. Henry 
Newhall's shop is in the East Parish, near the church. 
Some twenty-five years since, Mr. Jefferson Kimball built 
the shop nearer to the post-office, commenced the business, 
and continued in it till his removal from the town, when 
it was sold to Mr. Newhall, who removed it to its present 
position. In 1873 Perley Brothers erected their place of 
business, which is situated near by the depot on the Boston 
and Maine Railroad, in the East Parish. Their business is 
carriage-building and carriage-repairing ; machinery is also 
repaired by the requisite skill, and their numerous machines 
are driven by steam-power. Frederic Thomas, whose shop 
is situated near the church in the West Parish, carries on 



344 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

blacksmith's, wheelwright's, and painting departments of 
carriage-repairing. 

From the earliest settlement of the town to the present 
time, the principal occupation of the inhabitants has been 
that of agriculture ; and from the primitive soil of our 
rocky hillsides they have ever drawn, by their industry 
and well-adapted labor, an independent livelihood, while 
many of them have prospered so well that they have 
become comparatively rich. Not only has agriculture, in 
its general term, been carried on, but its various branches 
— market-gardening, fruit-raising, &c. — have been in- 
dulged in during the past few years ; Haverhill, Lawrence, 
and Salem furnishing ready markets for the produce. Ac- 
cording to the State census for 1875, there were 125 farms 
in the town. We give an illustration of the manse of one 
of these farms on the opposite page. It is the residence of 
Mr. Isaac C. Day, and originally the old Ross place. The 
enterprise of Mr. John T. Day of Boston has caused new 
buildings and extensive repairs to be made, and by other out- 
lay has made it one of the finest farming-seats in the town. 

The political history of Boxford is a monitor that would 
well instruct the enthusiastic and tumultuous politicians 
of the present day. The outbursts of political fevers, 
though sometimes occurring in a limited degree, are excep- 
tions to the movements of the people of this staid old 
town. The steady Republican principle has been a ruling 
power here for many years. The Democrats have been 
few in number, but are on the increase ; and the new 
Greenback movement has won a few proselytes to its 
support. 

The population of Boxford for the last century has always 
been more than it is at present. In 1765 the population 
was 851; in 1776,989; 1790,925; 1800,852; 1810,880; 
1820,906; 1830,935; 1840,942; 1850,982; 1860,1,020; 
1865,868; 1875,834, — 421 males and 413 females. The 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 345 

last census gives a further division of the present inhab- 
itants : unmarried persons, 219 males and 208 females; 
married, 184 males and 174 females; widowed, 18 males 
and 31 females. The families average four persons each, 
and there is none containing more than ten persons. The 
average age of the inhabitants of Boxford at the present 
time is thirty-five years. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

DISTINGUISHED AND PROFESSIONAL NATIVES. 

Rev. Oliver Peabody. — Rev. Moses Hale. — Rev. James 
Scales. — Rev. John Rogers. — Major Asa Perley. — Hon. 
Aaron Wood. — Col. Thomas Kxowlton. — Rev. Stephen 
Peabody. — Rev. David Jewett. — Rev. Benjamin Chad- 
wick. — Aaron Porter, M.D. — Major-Gen. Amos Hovey. — 
Rev. Humphrey C. Perley. — Samuel Holyoke, A.M. — Na- 
thaniel Perley, Esq. — William Peabody, M.D. — Samuel 
Peabody, Esq. — Joseph Hovey, Esq. — Gen. Solomon Lowe. 

— Rufus P. Hovey, Esq. — Rev. Peter S. Eaton. — Hon. 
Ira Perley. — Dr. Daniel Perley. — Rev. John H. Eaton. 

— Joseph E. Bartlett, M.D. — Walter H. Kimball, M.D. — 
Charles I. Adams, Esq. — Henry O. Peabody. — Rev. Albert 
B. Peabody. — Cyrus K. Bartlett, M.D. — William A. 
Herrick, Esq. 

.OXFORD has probably given birth to more 
enterprising persons than any other town of its 
size in the Commonwealth. They can be found 
in the busy business circles of the large towns 
and cities, engaging in manufacturing, home trade, and 
commerce ; institutions of learning in distant parts of the 
country have asked their assistance ; heathendom has called 
to them to bring the light of Christianity to its darkened 
lands ; invention has cried, " We need you to show to the 
world some new appliance;" pulpits and offices of trust 
have been filled ; the court-room has re-echoed with their 
voice ; and not a few have assisted, and are assisting, in 
building up the distant West with towns and cities, and 
346 







HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 347 

turning the rank virgin soil of the prairies into grain-fields 
and fruit-farms. Thus it has ever been with the young 
men of Boxford. Leaving the old, dull home of their 
fathers, they enter the busy scenes, and soon become in- 
volved in the fortunes or misfortunes of a business life. 
But, thanks to their parents and the morality of the place, 
most of them have succeeded in their career, and made 
themselves an honor to the dear old home of their boy- 
hood. 

REV. OLIVER PEABODY. 

Mr. Peabody was born May 7, 1698, and was son of 
William and Hannah (Hale) Peabody. Entering Harvard 
College at an early age, he graduated in 1721. There was 
an Indian church at Natick, which was dissolved about 
1720; and the commissioners of the society in England 
for propagating the gospel in New England deputed Mr. 
Peabody to preach in that town. He delivered his first 
sermon there Aug. 6, 1721, when there were but two white 
families in the town. After preaching there eight years, a 
church was gathered, composed partly of Indians and partly 
of English, over which he was ordained pastor, Dec. 7, 
1729. He discharged his pastoral office with great renown 
for thirty years, ministering to the people of Natick, espe- 
cially to the aborigines, in the cause of sacred learning. 
He was a model in social life, and in benevolence and 
hospitality pre-eminent. He took great delight in theo- 
logical investigations, as well as in all needful learning. 
He taught the Indians temperance, the English language, 
and the use of agricultural implements. Though naturally 
of a slender and delicate constitution, he consented to go 
on a mission to the Mohegan tribe of Indians, which caused 
a final decline in his health. He died Feb. 2, 1752. His 
last words were : " I have fought a good fight, I have fin- 
ished my course, I have kept the faith : henceforth there 
is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, 



34§ HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day" (2 Tim. 
iv. 7, 8). (See Bacon's History of Natick, p. 61.)* 

REV. MOSES HALE. 

Mr. Hale was born Dec. 5, 1701, and was son of Joseph 
and Mary (Watson) Hale. He graduated at Harvard 
College, 1722. Oct. 20, 1 73 1, he was ordained over the 
church that had just been gathered in Chester, N.H. He 
was, at times, afflicted with insanity, and for this reason 
was dismissed June 4, 1735. His life terminated in 1760. 

REV. JAMES SCALES. 

Mr. Scales was born, near the residence of the late Mr. 
Ephraim F. Cole, May 31, 1707, and was son of James and 
Sarah (Curtis) Scales. He graduated at Harvard College, 
1733, and was ordained, Nov. 23, 1757, at the age of 
twenty-four years. Was settled at Hopkinton, N.H. He 
died July 26, 1776. 

REV. JOHN ROGERS. 

Mr. Rogers was born Sept. 24, 1712, and was son of 
Rev. John and Susanna (Marston) Rogers. He graduated 
at Harvard College, 1732. He was ordained as the first 
pastor at Leominster, Mass., Sept. 14, 1743. In his pas- 
torate Mr. Rogers met with great difficulties ; but, before 
his death, matters were Christianly adjusted. " Mr. Rogers 
was a man of intellectual powers," says Dr. Bancroft, in 
his half-century sermon, " and an inquisitive spirit, pos- 
sessed of a name fitted to make a man independent of his 

* Mr. Peabody married Hannah, daughter of Rev. Joseph Baxter of 
Medfield, a lady distinguished for her piety and good sense. The result 
of this union was the birth of twelve children : Catherine, Oliver, William, 
Rebecca, Mercy, Joseph, Hannah, Susanna, Susanna, Elizabeth, Thomas, 
and Sarah. Hannah married Rev. Elizur Holyoke of Boxford. Oliver 
graduated at Harvard College, 1745, and was pastor of the First Church 
in Roxbury from 1750 to his death, May 29, 1752, aged twenty-six years. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 349 

opinions, and prepared to encounter every difficulty in 
defence of religious truth." He was strictly an honest 
man. His moral character was never impeached. In con- 
versation he was frank, even to bluntness, and sometimes 
gave offence to, or wounded the feelings of, his friends 
unintentionally. He was tenacious of his own opinion ; 
perhaps he thought too highly of the name. But no man 
is perfect, and his greatest fault was a want of prudence. 
He died Oct. 6, 1789; and in 1845, under the direction 
of the First Congregational Society of Leominster, a mar- 
ble monument was erected to his memory. (See Wilder's 
History of Leominster}) 

MAJOR ASA PERLEY. 

Mr. Perley was born Oct. 10, 17 16, and was son of 
Thomas and Sarah (Osgood) Perley. Mr. Perley erected 
the residence of Mrs. Isaac Hale (at the Old Elm-Tree), 
married, and settled down on the land which had been 
bequeathed to him by his father's will, in the immediate 
vicinity of his birthplace, where he continued to reside 
during his life of almost ninety years. Mr. Perley was one 
of the most prominent men in the town, where he held at 
various times the highest offices. In 1758, 1764, 1767-69, 
1 77 1, 1774, 1777, 1778, and 1782, — ten years in all, — he 
held the office of selectman. In 1771, 1772, 1780, and 
1 78 1, he was chosen representative to the General Court. 
In 1775, — that noted year in the history of the nation, — 
he was chosen a member of the Provincial Congress, in 
which Congress, as its records inform us, he held prominent 
positions. Seven of his sons served in the War of Inde- 
pendence. He died April 10, 1806. 

HON. AARON WOOD. 

Mr. Wood was born Nov. 20, 17 19, and was son of John 
and Ruth (Peabody) Wood. He resided on the Stevens 



350 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

place in the East Parish, and probably built that house, 
which has since been burned. Mr. Wood was a senator in 
1781 ; representative to the General Court, 1761-1770, 
1773, 1774, 1776-79, sixteen years in all; and was also 
employed in the councils and conventions of the Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts with gratification to the people. 
Mr. Wood died Jan. 20, 1791, after having faithfully served 
his country for many years previous to, and during, the 
long conflict with Great Britain, securing a name for in- 
tegrity, justice, and judgment, and leaving an untarnished 
reputation.* The following is the inscription on his grave- 
stone : — 

ERECTED 

In Memory of the 

Hon Aaron Wood Efq. 

Who died Janr 20i h 

1791 : 

Aged 71 years. 

Yet my fond hope would hear him speak again 
Once more at leaft one gentle word & then 
Aaron aloud I call in vain I cry- 
Aaron aloud ; for he muft ne'er reply 
In vain I mourn & drop thefe funeral tears 
Death & the grave have neither eyes nor ears. 

* Mr. Wood's first wife was Jane, widow of Dr. Eliphalet Kilborn of 
Rowley, who died June 15, 1775, aged sixty-eight years. When the British 
drove the General Court from Boston in 1775, Mr. Wood and some of the 
representatives boarded with Mrs. Lydia Barnard, — daughter of Phineas and 
Grace (Hastings) Warren of Waltham, Mass., and widow of David Bar- 
nard — (who was born Jan. 18, 1745), in Watertown, where, it will be remem- 
bered, many of the members of the General Court took refuge. Mr. Wood 
fell in love with his buxom hostess, married, and brought her to Boxford. 
After the death of Mr. Wood, who died childless, she married Benjamin 
Spofford of Boxford, Nov. 14, 1792. She was a woman of strong mind and 
body, weighing over two hundred pounds, and died Sept. 6, 1839, aged nine- 
ty-five years. When the British retreated after the battle of Lexington, they 
passed by her house. One of the privates stole a horse, and was making his 
retreat in better style. He said something to Mrs. Barnard that was not 
acceptable to her patriotic mind, and she pulled him from his horse, and took 
him prisoner ; and, it is said, this was the first prisoner taken during the 
Revolution. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 35 1 



COL. THOMAS KNOWLTON. 



Mr. Knowlton was born in November, 1740, and was son 
of William and Martha (Pinder) Knowlton. At the age of 
eight years he removed with his father to Ashford, Conn. 
Thomas attended the common schools, whose narrow rou- 
tine was the limit of his literary education. As he grew 
older, he developed into a manly form, six feet in height, 
erect and elegant in figure, and formed more for activity 
than strength. In addition to his fine appearance, his 
complexion was light, his hair dark, and his eyes of deep 
spiritual beauty. He entered the French war when scarcely 
fifteen years of age, and continued in its service till the war 
ended, when he left the army in the rank of lieutenant, 
having been promoted three successive times during the 
campaign. He was prominent in the battle of Bunker 
Hill, where he commanded a company, and, with Col. 
Stark, defended the rail-fence from the trinal attack of 
Lord Howe. For his gallantry in this engagement, he 
was promoted to the rank of major. Passing over nu- 
merous events, in one of which he was promoted to the 
rank of colonel, we approach the closing scene in the life 
of the brave Knowlton. At Harlem Heights Col. Knowl- 
ton was sent to watch the enemy's movements. Two of 
his soldiers, who were reconnoitring their lines, approach- 
ing within gunshot, and yielding to a mad desire, fired upon 
them, and then hurried back to the camp followed by 
six hundred Britishers. A hot fight ensued, in which Col. 
Knowlton was mortally wounded, and survived but an 
hour. His eldest son, a lad aged fifteen years, was in the 
same battle, and fired several rounds before he received 
the sad intelligence. When word was brought that his 
father was dying, he hurried to his side, when he was thus 
addressed : " You see, my son, I am mortally wounded ; 
you can do me no good : go, fight for your country!' Col. 



352 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Reed, an eye-witness of the scene, says, " All his inquiry 
was, whether we had driven the enemy." In the general 
orders of the next day, Washington says that Col. Knowl- 
ton would have been "an honor to any coimtry" 

He was the intimate and trusted friend and companion 
of Gen. Putnam and other leading officers in the army. 
Col. Burr, a keen judge of men, and a brilliant officer, not- 
withstanding the odium cast upon him by the later trans- 
actions of his life, became acquainted with Knowlton, and 
was singularly captivated both by his military talent, and 
the qualities of his open and fearless nature. 

The possession of an intellect naturally bright, and quick 
to profit by the experiences and associations of military 
life, caused his companionship to be sought by the most 
cultivated. He was courteous and affable in manners, and 
wholly free from ostentation and egotism. Ever willing to 
bestow on others the praise due to their merits, he received 
the applause due to himself without a murmur of dissent. 
Calm and collected in battle, and, if necessity required, 
ready to lead where any could be found to follow, he knew 
no fear of danger. The favorite and superior officer, the 
ideal of his soldiers and fellow-townsmen, he fell universally 
lamented. Col. Knowlton was buried with military honors 
near the road leading from Kingsbridge to the city. A 
monument, planted by the hand of affection, has been 
erected to his memory in the cemetery at Ashford, Conn. 

REV. STEPHEN PEABODY. 

Mr. Peabody was born Nov. n, 1741, and was son of 
John and Sarah Peabody. When about nine years of age, 
his father removed to North Andover, where Stephen was 
reared. He graduated at Harvard College, 1769. He was 
ordained over the church in Atkinson, N. H., Nov. 25, 
1772, where he was the first minister. Taking a great 
interest in the war of the Revolution, he served as chap- 






HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 353 

lain in the regiment of Col. Poor, which was stationed at 
Winter Hill. He died May 23, 18 19, aged seventy-seven 
years.* 

REV. DAVID JEWETT. 

Mr. Jewett was born Nov. 6, 1743, and was son of 
Ezekiel and Martha Jewett. He graduated at Harvard 
College, 1769. Ordained Sept. 1, 1771. Settled over the 
church at Candia, N. H. The hard times of the Revolution 
coming on, and the town being small, they could not pay 
his salary, and he was dismissed about 1780. He was 
immediately re-settled as the first minister at Winthrop, 
Me. He died Feb. 28, 1783. 

REV. BENJAMIN CHADWICK. 

Mr. Chadwick was born March 26, 1745, and was son of 
Thomas and Mary (Porter) Chadwick. He graduated at 
Harvard College, 1770. We know little concerning his 
life, character, or abilities. He died in 18 19. 

AARON PORTER, M.D. 

Mr. Porter was born March 28, 1752, and was son of 
Moses and Mary (Chadwick) Porter. He was a physician 
of eminence. He was first settled at Biddeford, Me., and 
afterwards at Portland, Me. Died at Portland, June 30, 
1837, aged eighty-five years.f 

* Mr. Peabody married, first, Polly Hazeltine, Jan. 19, 1773, who died 
Sept. 19, 1793, at tne a S e °f fifty-one years, leaving two children, Stephen 
and Mary. Stephen was judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Hancock 
County, Me. Mr. Peabody married, second, Dec. 8, 1795, Mrs. Elizabeth, 
daughter of Rev. William Smith of Weymouth, sister of the wife of the 
senior President Adams, and widow of Rev. John Shaw of Haverhill, Mass. 
She died, at the age of sixty-five years, April 9, 1S15. 

t Mr. Porter married Paulina, daughter of Richard King of Scarborough, 
Me., — and sister of Hon. Rufus King, the first United-States senator from 
New York, minister to England, &c. ; and half-sister of Hon. William King, 
the first governor of Maine, — April 30, 1777, who was born March 1, 1759, 
and died Feb. 27, 1833. Their children were : Rufus King ; Moses ; Mary 



354 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

MAJOR-GEN. AMOS HOVEY. 

Amos Hovey was born May 31, 1757, and was son of 
Deacon Joseph and Rebecca (Stickney) Hovey. In early 
life he entered with enthusiasm into the military service of 
his country during the Revolutionary War, and served in 
many arduous campaigns with great credit. On the res- 
toration of peace in 1783, he settled in Salem, and was in 
the dry-goods business in Neptune Street, and subsequently 
in the Franklin Building. At one time he was a merchant 
on Union Wharf. The various offices, both civil and mili- 
tary, which had been conferred upon him by his fellow- 
citizens, indicate the high estimation in which he was 
universally held. He was lieutenant and captain of the 
Salem Artillery, major and colonel of the Artillery Regi- 
ment, and brigadier and major-general in the Second 
Division of the Massachusetts Militia. He died Oct. 17, 
1838, at the age of eighty-one years, leaving no issue. 

REV. HUMPHREY CLARK PERLEY. 

Mr. Perley was born Dec. 24, 1761, and was son of Capt. 
William and Sarah (Clark) Perley. Entering Dartmouth 
College at the age of twenty-five years, he graduated in 
1 79 1 with the degree of A.M. He studied divinity .with 
Rev. Ebenezer Bradford of Rowley, and Rev. Ebenezer 
Dutch of Bradford, two eminent divines of his time. He 
was approbated to preach July 3, 1794, by the Essex Mid- 
dle Association. On the 2d of December, in the following 
year, he was ordained over the church in Methuen, where 
he continued to officiate till his dismission, May 24, 181 5. 
He was next settled over the North Society in Beverly, 

(mother of the wife of Rev. Charles Beecher of Georgetown, Mass.) ; Richard 
King ; Paulina (mother of wife of Rev. Edward Beecher of Brooklyn, N.Y.) ; 
Isabella Bragdon ; Harriet, married (second wife) Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher, 
and became the mother of Rev. Thomas Beecher of Elmira, N.Y. ; Almira ; 
Rufus King ; Lucy ; Elizabeth ; and Lucy Elizabeth. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 355 

Dec. 2, 1S18, where he had been preaching a while pre- 
viously. Here he continued in the ministry till he was 
dismissed, June 13, 1821. This was his last pastorate. 
He preached in several pulpits at times during the few 
following years. His abilities were meagre, and his princi- 
ples of religion rather inclined to Unitarianism. Several 
of his sermons were published, and are yet extant. He 
died in Georgetown, May 10, 1838, at the age of seventy- 
six years. 

SAMUEL HOLYOKE, A.M. 

Mr. Holyoke was born in the old Holyoke house, Oct. 
15, 1762, and was son of Rev. Elizur and Hannah (Pea- 
body) Holyoke. He graduated at Harvard College, 1789. 
He was a popular musician, and became renowned as a 
music-composer. The first of the tunes which he com- 
posed was Arnheim; and, although he was but sixteen 
years of age at the time, this is the only one of his pro- 
ductions that remains popular at the present time. 

In 1790 he prepared the copy of his first collection ,of 
sacred music, which made its appearance in January, 1791. 
This book is entitled " Harmonia Americana. Containing 
a concise Introduction to the Grounds of Music. With a 
variety of Airs, suitable for Divine Worship and the use of 
Musical Societies. Consisting of three and four parts. 
By Samuel Holyoke, A.B." It was " Printed at Boston, 
Typographically, By Isaiah Thomas and Ebenezer T. 
Andrews, at Faust's Statue, No. 45, Newbury Street. — 
MDCCXCI." This book was published by subscription ; 
and, at the time of its publication, the author had received 
subscribers for two hundred and sixty copies. In the 
preface of this volume he discards the general use oi fugue 
in sacred music. 

Mr. Holyoke was extensively and favorably known as a 
teacher and composer of both vocal and instrumental 
music. In 1806 he published at Exeter, N. H., vol. i. of 



356 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

The Instrumental Assistant, a quarto of .eighty pages ; and 
in 1807 was published, at the same place, vol. ii. of that 
work, containing one hundred and four pages, quarto. In 
these two volumes were given " rules for learning music, 
and complete scales of all the instruments used," and 
about two hundred pieces of music for instruments, ar- 
ranged in parts from two to eight. In 1809 appeared The 
Columbian Repository of Sacred Harmony. This was the 
most extensive collection of sacred music ever published in 
this country. It contained four hundred and seventy-two 
quarto pages, and about seven hundred and fifty pieces of 
music, including the whole of Dr. Watts' psalms and 
hymns, to each of which a tune was adapted, and some 
additional tunes suited to the particular metres in Tate and 
Brady's, and Dr. Belknap's collection of psalms and hymns. 
The volume is a very good specimen of printing, and from 
it have been selected a large number of times which help 
to make up the various collections of church music which 
have since appeared. This work was published by sub- 
scription, the price per copy being three dollars. Mr. 
Holyoke was also concerned in the publication of The 
Massachusetts Compiler, with Oliver Holden of Charles- 
town, Mass. ; and, at the time of his death, was engaged in 
preparing for publication a third collection of instrumental 
music. In early life he possessed a remarkably good 
voice ; but in his latter years it had become so harsh that 
he was obliged to use a clarionet in his vocal schools. 

At a social gathering of his musical friends, at the house 
of Jacob B. Moore, Esq., in Concord, N. H., Feb. 2, 1820, 
at the close of the exercises Mr. Holyoke requested them 
to sing Amheim, remarking that perhaps he would never 
meet with a choir on earth so well calculated to do justice 
to his first composition. It was sung twice, and Mr. Hol- 
yoke was affected to tears. He never sang again. 

He had been teaching at Concord, N. H., during the 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 357 

winter, and died Feb. 7, 1820, of an attack of lung-fever, at 
Lang's Tavern, East Concord, after a short illness of four 
days. He died poor, but highly respected and esteemed 
by those who knew him.* 

NATHANIEL PERLEY, ESQ. 

Mr. Perley was born March 22, 1763, and was son of 
Nathaniel and Mehitable (Perley) Perley. Mr. Perley 
graduated at Dartmouth College, 1791, and was a lawyer in 
Hallowell, Me. ; but was more noted for his wit — which 
sometimes turned the gravity of the court-room into uncon- 
trollable hilarity — than for his pleas. He was unsurpassed 
for sound judgment, and possessed of every personal qual- 
ity, if properly employed, to have made him one of the 
great men of our country. He died in 1824. 

DR. WILLIAM PEABODY. 

Mr. Peabody was born in the old mansion occupied 
during the summer by William A. Herrick, Esq., of 
Boston, Jan. 10, 1768, and was son of Richard and Jemima 
(Spofford) Peabody. He practised the medicamental art 
for several years at Frankfort, Me., and afterward removed 
to Corinth, Me. He bore a good reputation as a physician. 

SAMUEL PEABODY, ESQ. 

Mr. Peabody was born in the old mansion occupied 
during the summer by William A. Herrick, Esq., of 
Boston, Jan. 30, 1775, and was son of Richard and Jemima 
(Spofford) Peabody. He graduated at Dartmouth College, 
1803. Was an attorney and counsellor at law. Resided at 
different times in Sandwich, Epsom, and Tamworth, N. H., 
and from 1842 to 1859 in Andover, Mass. His death 
occurred Oct. 17, 1859. He was a gentleman of the 

* A part of our information has been gleaned from Moore's Encyclopedia 
of Music. 



35 8 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

highest moral and social qualities, and much general cul- 
ture and professional attainment.* 

JOSEPH HOVEY, ESQ. 

Mr. Hovey was born Oct. 31, 1776, and was son of 

Joseph and Mary (Porter) Hovey. Graduated at Harvard 

College, 1804. Was a lawyer at Haverhill, Mass. He 
died in 18 16. 

GEN. SOLOMON LOWE. 

Mr. Lowe was born April 9, 1782, and was son of Nathan 
and Lucy (Lord) Lowe. He served in the militia of the 
State many years, and held the office of general of the 
Second Brigade, Second Division, from September, 1820, 
until April, 1840, when all the general officers were dis- 
charged, preparatory to a re-organization of the militia. He 
represented the town of Boxford in the Legislature of the 
State during the years 1823, 1827, 1828, and 1841, and 
was selectman for many years. Lived in Boxford till about 
1857, when he removed to West Newbury, where he died 
April 3, 1 861. In 1836 he was vice-president of the Essex 
Agricultural Society, f 

* Mr. Peabody married Abigail, daughter of Jonathan Wood, Oct. 7, 
1813, by whom were born Charles A., Abby Hale, William Frederic, George 
Samuel, Enoch Wood, Sarah Jane, David Wood, John Tyler, Mary Spof- 
ford, and Ellen Eliza. Charles A., the oldest child, was a lawyer in New- 
York City, judge of New-York Supreme Court. President of United States 
appointed him judge of the United-States Provisional Court for Louisiana, 
at New Orleans, in 1S62 ; chief justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, — 
the appellate court of last resort in that State, — 1S63-64 ; and afterwards 
United-States attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana. 

t Mr. Lowe married, first, Huldah Kimball of Boxford, 1806, who died 
Sept. 24, 180S, aged twenty-eight years, having given birth to two children, 
twins. One died in infancy, and the other was Major William Lowe. Mr. 
Lowe married, second, Dolly Wood of Boxford, 1813, who died May 10, 
1817, aged thirty-one years, having given birth to another pair of twins. 
One died in infancy, and the other was Mary Ann, who was the first wife of 
Mr. Edward Howe. Mr. Lowe married, third, May 14, 1849, Martha, daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Hannah Eastman of Sanbornton, N.H., and widow of 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 359 

RUFUS PORTER HOVEY, ESQ. 

Mr. Hovey was born Feb. 5, 1790, and was son of Joseph 
and Mary (Porter) Hovey. He graduated at Harvard Col- 
lege, 181 3. Was an attorney at Lynn, Mass. His death 
occurred in 1820. 

REV. PETER SYDNEY EATON. 

Mr. Eaton was born Oct. 7, 1798, and was son of Rev. 
Peter and Sarah (Stone) Eaton. He fitted for college 
under the supervision of his father ; and graduated at Har- 
vard in 18 1 8, and at the Theological Seminary at Andover 
in 1822. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of 
Londonderry, in the spring of 1822. He was settled over 
the church at Merrimac (then West Amesbury), Mass., 
Sept. 20, 1826, and was dismissed May 10, 1837. He 
retired from the ministry, and for some years resided in 
Chelsea, where he died March 13, 1863. Those of his 
former charge who yet survive remember him with sincere 
respect and affection. 

Of his religious life he says : " My attention was first 
called to an earnest consideration of the subject of religion 
while a teacher in Phillips Academy, Andover, through the 
awakening of a favorite pupil, remarkably amiable and 
intelligent, but who exhibited the most pungent convic- 
tions of sin. Quite a revival followed. I had been greatly 
perplexed by the doctrine of man's entire depravity ; but 
now, after a course of thorough self-examination, am 
satisfied of its truth." 

Fred. J. Merriam of Topsfield ; who died July 24, 1855, aged fifty years. Mr. 
Lowe married, for his fourth wife, Caroline H. Chase of West Newbury, 
who survived him, and married, secondly, a Mr. Chase of West New- 
bury, where she is still living. The remains of Gen. Lowe lie in his tomb in 
Harmony Cemetery. The tomb has attracted many visitors, because of the 
pictures of himself and his four wives, which are engraved on marble tablets, 
and placed upon the face of the tomb. 



360 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



HON. IRA PERLEY. 

Mr. Perley was born Nov. 9, 1799, and was son of Sam- 
uel and Phebe (Dresser) Perley. Ira's father was a farmer 
in not affluent circumstances, though his family was far 
from being in an indigent condition. When Ira was eight 
years of age, his father died, and the farm was left to the 
care of the widow and three sons, aged respectively eight, 
four, and three years. By the widow's hard labor, with 
what little help the young children could render, the farm 
was carried on, and a part of its income laid by. Ira, as 
well as the doctor, whose biography follows, early evinced 
a desire for knowledge. At odd hours of the' day, when 
not employed in labor, he would be found with book in 
hand ; and on the long winter evenings, by the light which 
the fire on the hearth afforded, he pored over his Latin 
grammar, and other works which formed the elements of 
his after-study. At an early age he entered Bradford 
Academy, when Benjamin Greenleaf was preceptor. At 
the age of eighteen, in 181 8, he entered Dartmouth Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 1822. He then read law with 
B. J. Gilbert, Esq., of Haverhill, Mass., and commenced the 
practice of the profession in Concord, N.H. He also after- 
wards practised law with great honor at Hanover, N. H. 
He was a representative to the Legislature of New Hamp- 
shire from Concord and Hanover, respectively ; treasurer 
of Dartmouth College ; vice-president of the New-England 
Historic-Genealogical Society for a number of years ; and 
was for several years chief justice of New Hampshire. In 
1866 Mr. Perley delivered, before the Association of the 
Alumni at Dartmouth College, the eulogy on the death of 
Rufus Choate, and also of the Hon. Daniel Webster, Dart- 
mouth's two most distinguished sons. Mr. Perley died in 
Concord, N. H., where he resided, Feb. 26, 1874, aged 
seventy-four years. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 361 

A classmate in college has kindly furnished us some 
prevailing traits of Mr. Perley's character. He says : — 

" I entered the sophomore class in Dartmouth College at the com- 
mencement in the year 1819. I then first became acquainted with Ira 
Perley. He had been in college one year, and had established, beyond 
all controversy, his title to the first appointment in his class, which in 
number was second only to that of 181 1. Not only so : I think he 
was considered, from that time until we finished our course in 1822, 
the best general scholar in the college. He had not the brilliancy, 
the imagination, nor the fascinating power of Rufus Choate, who 
graduated when I entered, nor had he, probably, the same extent of 
classical learning; but, after Choate left, no one remained that could 
compete with Perley in all the college studies. 

" Ira Perley was modest and unassuming. Conscious of his own 
abilities, he had no occasion to assume any factitious importance. As 
he was beyond the reach of rivalry in college, he excited no one's 
envy. The same position he held among his classmates in college, he 
readily obtained at the bar and upon the bench ; I mean as a learned 
lawyer and an accomplished judge. 

u He was an active and an honest man. He passed a long life in 
the discharge of various important duties, — civil, professional, politi- 
cal, and judicial. They were all performed with integrity and ability, 
without a stain upon his character. Perley was not a marked man, 
either in his personal appearance, or in his manner of address. He 
was not a natural orator or poet ; but, as a lawyer, to collect the law 
of the case, arrange and apply it, he was excelled by few. 

" He was not a politician, according to the common acceptation of 
the word. When the Rebellion broke out, Perley's voice gave no 
uncertain sound. He sympathized fully with the North, believing 
that the national life should be preserved ; and, as he felt and believed, 
so he spoke. 

" In the profession which Judge Perley selected, a good memory is 
of the utmost importance. This faculty he possessed and cultivated 
to an extent beyond most men. Did a principle of law require to be 
elucidated or established ? he would readily name the case, quote the 
book, and frequently the page, where the authority could be found. 
This faculty made him of great value to the other members of the 
court. He Was, in fact, their legal dictionary. This power of recol- 
lection was not confined to the law. He was an extensive reader of 
miscellaneous works of fiction, travel, and the various productions of 
modern literature ; and he seemed not only to devour, but to digesl 



362 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

thoroughly, whatever he had read. This faculty was cultivated to such 
an extent, that, in summing up his cases to the jury, he made little use 
of his notes of the evidence, and frequently astonished the bar and 
the jury at the minuteness, accuracy, and fulness of his recollection of 
the names and testimony of the witnesses. 

"Another trait in Judge Perley's character was independence. As 
he was self-reliant, he was not disposed to accept the results of the 
investigation of others, without examination. 

"His literary labors were chiefly confined to the law. He indeed 
delivered eulogies upon two of Dartmouth's most distinguished sons, 
Daniel Webster and Rufus Choate ; but his reputation as a lawyer 
and jurist must rest finally upon his record in the Reports of the 
Judicial Courts of New Hampshire." (See Alumni of Dartmouth 
College, and other documents.) 

On the opposite page is an engraving of Mr. Perley's 
birthplace. It is also of interest because of the gigantic 
elm-tree. The tree is one of the largest, and the most 
symmetrical and beautiful, of any to be found in this section 
of the State. It was set out about 1760, by Major Asa 
Perley, grandfather of Hon. Ira Perley, whose young sons 
brought it from the woods when a sapling. 

DR. DANIEL PERLEY. 

Mr. Perley was born in the house (an engraving of which 
is here given) where his elder brother, the Hon. Ira Per- 
ley, was also born, March 24, 1804, and was son of Samuel 
and Phebe (Dresser) Perley. He prepared for and entered 
Dartmouth College in 1824, from which institution he 
graduated with honor in 1828. He took up the study 
of medicine, and began to practise in the Second Parish of 
Rowley, — now Georgetown, — where he continued several 
years. He at length removed to Lynn, in which place he 
continued in the duties of his profession. During twenty- 
five months of the Rebellion, he was surgeon of the Board 
of Enrolment of the Fifth District of Massachusetts. He 
still resides at Lynn, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. 
(See Alumni of Dartmouth College.) 







BIRTH-PLACE OF HON. IRA PERLEY. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 363 

REV. JOHN HUBBARD EATON. 

Mr. Eaton was born April 12, 1806, and was son of Rev. 
Peter and Sarah (Stone) Eaton. He was fitted for college 
by his father, at t.he age of twelve years. He graduated at 
Harvard College, 1827. He preached several years, but, 
on account of ill health, was never settled in the ministry. 
He died in New- York City, where he had been engaged 
with the Tract Society. 

JOSEPH ELBRIDGE BARTLETT, M.D. 

Mr. Bartlett was born Feb. 16, 18 19, on the farm border- 
ing upon Ipswich River, which had been owned and occu- 
pied by his ancestors for many generations. He was son 
of Samuel and Lois (Holt) Killam. He labored upon the 
farm, and attended the public schools, till eighteen years of 
age, when he engaged in teaching. Afterwards he attended 
Topsfield Academy for three years, fitting for, and pros- 
ecuting the studies usually pursued in, college. He then 
began the study of medicine with George Cogswell, M.D., 
of Bradford, Mass. In 1844 he was a member of the 
medical department of Dartmouth College. In 1845 his 
surname was legally changed from Killam to Bartlett. In 
1845 and 1846 he was a member of the medical department 
of the University of the City of New York, from which 
institution he graduated with the degree of M.D. in the 
last-named year. He began the practice of his profession 
in Somerville, Mass., and continued it in that town and the 
adjoining cities of Charlestown and Boston, for eighteen 
years. In 1853 he was chosen president of the Mystic- 
river Corporation, a company organized for the purpose of 
constructing wharves, quays, and docks, and for making 
other improvements, in Boston Upper Harbor, near the 
mouth of Mystic River. In 1864 he retired from the 
practice of his profession, and has since given exclusive 



364 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

attention to the official and other duties connected with the 
above-named work. 

DR. WALTER HENRY KIMBALL. 

Mr. Kimball was. born June 20, 1820, and was son of 
Amos and Lucy (Foster) Kimball. He graduated at Dart- 
mouth College, 1 841. Resides in Andover, Mass., where 
he is a physician. 

CHARLES ISRAEL ADAMS, ESQ. 

Mr. Adams was born Dec. 21, 1823, and was son of 
Isaac and Sophia (Spofford) Adams. He graduated at 
Dartmouth College, 1852; and, after teaching school in 
Gloucester for several years, he commenced the study of 
law in Boston, where he afterward had a law-office. In his 
legal profession he continued but a few years, his consti- 
tution not admitting of such close application to business. 
He contracted a fatal illness, of which he died about 1863. 

HENRY OLIVER PEABODY. 

Mr. Peabody was born May 13, 1826, and was son of 
Oliver Tyler and Sarah A. (Towne) Peabody. Mr. Pea- 
body being of an ingenious turn of mind, his thoughts 
were early directed to the invention of a better breech- 
loading rifle. Several years after conceiving the plan of 
his invention, he spent in perfecting and completing the 
" Peabody-rifle," which is said by the best judges to be 
superior to the other rifles of this class. The small-arms 
committees of Austria, Prussia, Belgium, Holland, and 
Denmark have pronounced this gun as "meeting every 
requirement of a military weapon." Other governments 
have made similar and equally satisfactory reports. Large 
orders have been executed by the manufacturers (Provi- 
dence Tool Co., Providence, R.I.) for the Swiss Military 
Department, than whom no people are better instructed in 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 365 

the use of fire-arms, or are better judges of their merit. 
The Dominion of Canada also have these arms largely in 
use. A military small-arms commission in our own country 
closes its report by saying : " Having examined and tested 
all the breech-loading arms submitted for their considera- 
tion, the board recommends for adoption the breech-loading 
arm known as ' Peabody's.' " Mr. Peabody is a resident of 
Boston. 

REV. ALBERT BRADSTREET PEABODY. 

Mr. Peabody was born Nov. 1, 1828, and was son of 
Samuel and Mary (Bradstreet) Peabody. His childhood 
was spent at Boxford at school and at work upon the farm ; 
later he studied at Pembroke Academy, N.H., and at Phil- 
lips Academy in Andover. For several years he was a 
teacher, part or all of the year, at Bow and Raymond, 
N.H., Ipswich, West Newbury, and Boxford, Mass., and for 
a year at Tarrytown, N.Y. After this he became a Chris- 
tian, and felt it his duty to leave the farm, to which he 
had returned from teaching, and study for the gospel min- 
istry, this being his mother's expressed desire before her 
death. He studied a year in connection with Topsfield 
Academy, and entered Andover Theological Seminary in 
the autumn of 1856, and graduated there in 1859. For a 
part of the following year he was a resident licentiate at 
Andover. He accepted a call to settle from the Congre- 
gational church in East Longmeadow, Mass., in April, and 
was ordained there May 24, i860. He continued in the 
ministry there with happy relations and marked success, 
for above seven years, when he resigned, and for about 
two years was acting pastor for the church at Seabrook, 
and at Hampton Falls, N. H. In November, 1869, he 
received a second call — an unsuccessful call having been 
extended to him in February, i860 — from the Congrega- 
tional church at Stratham, N.H., which he accepted, and 



366 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

was thereupon installed Nov. 25, 1869, and continues there 
with good success to this time. 

Mr. Peabody has had his share of the work that usually 
falls to ministers, — on school-committees, councils, com- 
mittees of the several associations ; secretary of County 
Conference, president of County Bible Society, secretary 
of County Missionary Society, &c. He was a delegate to 
the National Council of the Congregational Churches, that 
met at Detroit in the fall of 1877. During the summer of 
1879 Mr. Peabody made the voyage to Europe, travelling, 
with great pleasure and profit, through Scotland, Ireland, 
England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Italy. 

CYRUS KILLAM BARTLETT, M.D. 

Mr. Bartlett was born Jan. 23, 1829, and was son of 
Samuel and Lois (Holt) Killam. He labored upon the 
farm and attended the public schools, till about eighteen 
years of age. Afterwards he fitted for, and prosecuted 
the studies usually pursued in, college, at the academies in 
Topsfield, Mass., and Pembroke, N.H., Bradford Seminary, 
and with a private tutor, — Rev. William S. Coggin. He 
was engaged in teaching for a season. He studied medi- 
cine with Dr. George Cogswell of Bradford, and with his 
brother Joseph E., and then had his name legally changed 
from Killam to Bartlett. He was a member of the Berk- 
shire Medical School one term, and then of the medical 
department of Harvard College, from which he graduated 
with the degree of M.D. in 1852. He practised his pro- 
fession in Newton and Charlestown, Mass., six years, when 
he was appointed assistant physician at the Asylum for 
Insane, Northampton, Mass., where he remained ten years. 
In 1868 he was appointed superintendent and physician of 
the Minnesota State Hospital for Insane, at St. Peter, 
where he is still in office. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 367 

WILLIAM AUGUSTUS HERRICK, ESQ. 

Mr. Herrick was born Jan. 6, 1831, and was son of 
William Hale and Lois (Killam) Herrick. He prepared 
for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, and graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1854. He read law in Boston 
with Esquires Harvey Jewell and A. A. Ranney, and, at 
the same time, attended the Cambridge Law School. He 
commenced the practice of law in Boston in 1857, and 
practised at the same time, for a short period, at Andover. 
He has continued in his practice in Boston and vicinity, 
until the present time, and has always borne the reputation 
of being a shrewd, learned, and honorable legal adviser. 
His legal compositions are numerous, and honored by the 
profession. He edited Kerr on Injunctions, and, with 
Judge Redfield, also prepared for publication several other 
prominent works. In 1870 he published the first edition 
of his Town Officer; another edition is ready for the press. 
This is the standard work of its kind at the present time. 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX A. 



LIST OF TOWN-CLERKS OF B OXFORD. 



i 686-1 


710. 


John Peabody, sen. 


1823. 


John Bacon. 




711. 


Thomas Hazen. 


1824. 


Moses Dorman. 


1712-1 


723- 


Thomas Perley, jun. 


1825. 


John Bacon. 


1724-1 


729. 


Joseph Hale. 


1826. 


Charles Peabody. 




73o. 


Thomas Redington. 


1827. 


George Pearl. 




73i- 


Joseph Hale. 


1828. 


Phineas Barnes. 




732. 


Thomas Redington. 


1829. 


Benjamin Robinson. 


1 733-1 


735- 


Joseph Hale. 


1830. 


Phineas Barnes. 


1736-1 


742. 


Joseph Symonds. 


1831. 


Benjamin Robinson. 


1743- 


749- 


William Foster. 


1832. 


Phineas Barnes. 


1750- 


[751. 


Thomas Redington. 


1333- 


William Farnham. 


1752- 


757- 


Thomas Perley. 


1834. 


Samuel Kimball. 




758. 


Aaron Wood. 


1835- 


William Farnham. 


1759- 


760. 


Thomas Andrews. 


1836. 


Samuel Kimball. 


1761- 


779- 


Aaron Wood. 


1837. 


Moses Kimball. 


1780- 


[788. 


Thomas Perley. 


1838. 


Samuel Kimball. 


1789- 


[790. 


Aaron Wood. 


1839. 


Joshua T. Day. 


1791- 


[792. 


John Dorman. 


1840. 


Samuel Kimball. 


1793- 


[796. 


Jonathan Wood. 


1S41. 


Joshua T. Day. 


1797- 


[798. 


Parker Spofford. 


1842. 


Samuel H. Batchelder. 


1799- 


1811. 


Moses Dorman. 


1843. 


George Pearl. 


1812- 


[813. 


Amos Kimball. 


1844. 


Samuel H. Batchelder 




[814. 


Moses Dorman. 


1845. 


George Pearl. 




[815. 


John Kimball. 


1846. 


Moses Dorman, jun. 




[816. 


Moses Dorman. 


1847. 


William R. Cole. 




[817. 


Amos Kimball. 


1848. 


William Lowe. 




[818. 


Moses Dorman. 


1849. 


William R. Cole. 




[819. 


John Tyler, 3d. 


1850. 


Moses Dorman. 




[820. 


Moses Dorman. 


1851. 


John F. Kimball. 




[821. 


Amos Kimball. 


1852. 


William E. Killam. 




[822. 


Moses Dorman. 


1853. 


Joshua T. Day. 
3/ _1 



372 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



IS54. 


William Lowe. 


1863. 


IS55. 


William H. Wood. 


1864. 


1856. 


William E. Killam. 


1865. 


1857. 


William H. Wood. 


1 866- 1 868. 


1858. 


William E. Killam 


1 869-1 870. 


1859. 


William R. Cole. 


1871-1872. 


i860. 


William E. Killam. 


1873-1877. 


1861. 


William H. Wood. 


1 878-1 879. 


1862. 


William E. Killam. 





William H. Wood. 
William E. Killam. 
William R. Cole. 
Roscoe W. Gage. 
William R. Kimball. 
Thomas P. Dorman. 
Ancill Dorman. 
Benjamin S. Barnes. 



APPENDIX B. 



LIST OF SELECTMEN OF B OXFORD. 



As will be seen, the number of selectmen chosen annually in 
the early part of our history was generally five. Since 1822 the 
number has been three. The following is the list, viz. : — 



1687* 

John Peabody, sen., 
William Watson, 
Daniel Wood, 
John Andrews, 
Abraham Redington, jun. 

1688. 
John Chadwick, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Daniel Wood, 
Abraham Redington, jun., 
Thomas Hazen, 
John Peabody, sen. 

1689. 
Joseph Bixby, 
Thomas Hazen, 
William Foster, sen., 
Joseph Andrews, 
William Peabody. 

1690. 
John Peabody, 
Nathaniel Brown, 
Joseph Peabody, sen., 
Thomas Redington, 
Thomas Perley. 



See page 87. 



1691. 

John Perley, 
Moses Tyler, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Samuel Symonds, 
John Kimball. 

1692. 

Samuel Symonds, sen., 
Thomas Hazen, 
Joseph Peabody, sen., 
John Andrews, 
Robert Eames, sen. 

1693. 

John Peabody, sen., 
John Chadwick, 
Zaccheus Curtis, 
Daniel Wood, sen., 
Joseph Bixby. 

1694. 

Thomas Perley, 
Thomas Hazen, 
Moses Tyler, 
William Foster, sen., 
Ephraim Curtis. 

373 



374 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1695. 

John Perley, 
Moses Tyler, 
Joseph Bixby, 
John Andrews, 
Joseph Peabody. 

1696. 

John Peabody, 
William Peabody, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Jonathan Bixby. 

1697. 

Joseph Bixby, 
Joseph Andrews, 
William Peabody, 
John Chadwick, 
Thomas Perley, jun. 

1698. 

John Peabody, 
John Andrews, 
Samuel Symonds, sen., 
Joseph Hale, 
Moses Tyler. 

1699. 

Thomas Perley, 
John Peabody, 
John Andrews, 
John Eames, 
William Peabody. 

1700. 

John Perley, 
Joseph Bixby, 
Joseph Andrews, 
Josiah Bridges, 
Joseph Peabody. 



1701. 

Samuel Symonds, 
Thomas Perley, 
Thomas Redington, 
John Kimball, 
Samuel Smith. 

1702. 

Samuel Symonds, 
Daniel Wood, 
Joseph Hale, 
John Andrews, 
John Stiles. 

1703- 
John Peabody, 
Thomas Hazen, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Samuel Symonds, 
Timothy Dorman. 

1704. 

Thomas Perley, 
Joseph Bixby, 
Abraham Redington, 
Joseph Andrews, 
Josiah Bridges. 

i7°5- 
John Peabody, 
Joseph Peabody, jun., 
David Wood, 
Nathaniel Perley, 
Zaccheus Curtis. 

1706. 

Thomas Hazen, 
David Wood, 
Richard Kimball, 
Samuel Symonds, sen., 
Jonathan Bixby. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



375 



1707. 

John Peabody, 
Thomas Perley, 
Joseph Hale, 
Samuel Foster, 
Thomas Wilkins. 

1708. 

Thomas Hazen, 
Abraham Redington, 
Zaccheus Curtis, 
Luke Hovey, 
Jacob Perley. 

1709. 

Thomas Perley, 
John Andrews, 
Joseph Bixby, 
Luke Hovey, 
Samuel Fisk. 

1710. 

Samuel Symonds, sen., 
Thomas Jewett, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Daniel Kenney, 
Samuel Fisk. 

1711. 

John Peabody, 
Daniel Wood, 
Timothy Foster, 
Cornelius Brown, 
Thomas Jewett. 

1712. 

John Andrews, 
Samuel Symonds, jun., 
Samuel Foster, 
Moses Tyler, 
Jacob Perley. 



1713- 
Jonathan Foster, 
Nathaniel Peabody, 
Thomas Cummings, 
David Peabody, 
John Andrews. 

1714. 

Joseph Bixby, 
John Tyler, 
Jeremiah Perley, 
Jacob Smith, 
Thomas Perley, jun. 

1715- 
Joseph Hale, 
Timothy Dorman, 
Samuel Symonds, 
John Chadwick, 
Thomas Spofford. 

1716. 

Thomas Jewett, 
Jonathan Bixby, 
Job Tyler, 
John Symonds, 
Daniel Kenney. 

1717. 

Thomas Perley, jun., 
Thomas Perley, sen., 
John Andrews, 
John Howe, 
Joseph Eames. 

1718. 

Joseph Bixby, 
Cornelius Brown, 
Joseph Peabody, 
Samuel Symonds, 
Ephraim Dorman. 



376 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1719. 

Joseph Hale, 
Thomas Killam, 
Luke Hovey, 
Joseph Symonds, 
John Wood. 

1720. 

Thomas Perley, jun., 
Joseph Bixby, 
Thomas Wilkins, 
Nathan Eames, 
John Andrews, jun. 

1721. 

Joseph Bixby, 
Thomas Jewett, 
Thomas Cummings, 
Richard Peabody, 
Nathan Peabody. 

1722. 

Timothy Dorman, 
Jeremiah Perley, 
John Chadwick, 
Thomas Redington, 
Samuel Symonds. 

1723. 

Joseph Bixby, 
Stephen Peabody, 
Samuel Symonds, 
Thomas Perley, 
John Kimball. 

1724. 

David Peabody, 
Stephen Peabody, 
Daniel Kenney, 
Timothy Stiles, 
Nathaniel Perkins. 



1725- 
Stephen Peabody, 
John Stiles, sen., 
John Symonds, 
Joseph Hale, jun., 
Jonathan Tyler. 

1726. 

Thomas Jewett, 
David Peabody, 
Robert Andrews, 
Jacob Hale, 
Thomas Redington. 

1727. 

Thomas Perley, 
Joseph Hale, 
Samuel Pickard, 
Nathaniel Symonds, 
John Howe. 

1728. 

Joseph Hale, 
Thomas Cummings, 
Jacob Smith, 
Timothy Stiles, 
Moses Tyler. 

1729. 

Stephen Peabody, 
James Curtis, 
Jacob Smith, 
Jacob Perley, 
John Stiles, jun. 

1730. 

Joseph Hale, 
Joseph Symonds, 
Thomas Perley, 
Thomas Andrews, 
John Wood. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



377 



1731- 

Joseph Symonds, 
Stephen Peabody, 
Thomas Cummings, 
Jacob Smith, 
Samuel Foster. 

1732. 

Jacob Perley, 
Robert Andrews, 
Joseph Hale, jun., 
Zebediah Foster, 
John Bixby. 

1733- 

Stephen Peabody, 
Nathaniel Symonds, 
Jeremiah Perley, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Samuel Gould. 

1734. 
John Symonds, 
Joseph Hale, jun., 
Thomas Redington, 
Timothy Stiles, 
Zebediah Foster. 

1735- 

Joseph Hale, 
Jacob Smith, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Timothy Stiles, 
Amos Perley. 

1736. 

John Symonds, 
Luke Hovey, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Stephen Peabody, 
John Killam. 



1737- 
Joseph Symonds, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Hale, 
Thomas Peabody, 
Jeremiah Foster. 

1738. 

Joseph Symonds, 
Thomas Peabody, 
Robert Andrews, 
Benjamin Porter, 
Gideon Bixby. 

*739- 

Robert Andrews, 
Benjamin Porter, 
John Andrews, 
Thomas Peabody, 
John Dorman. 

1740. 

Thomas Andrews, 
Joseph Hale, 
Jonathan Sherwin, 
Samuel Gould, 
Nathan Kimball. 

1741. 

Robert Andrews, 
Zebediah Foster, 
Thomas Peabody, 
Nathan Peabody, 
Thomas Perley, jun. 

1742. 

Robert Andrews, 
John Kimball, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Luke Hovey, jun., 
Jeremiah Foster. 



378 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1743- 
Robert Andrews, 
Benjamin Porter, 
Joseph Symonds, 
Luke Hovey, 
Thomas Redington. 

1744. 

Robert Andrews, 
Benjamin Porter, 
Joseph Hale, jun., 
Thomas Redington, 
Job Tyler. 

1745- 
Joseph Symonds, 
Zebediah Foster, 
Nathaniel Perkins, 
Thomas Peabody, 
John Dorman. 

1746. 

Joseph Symonds, 
Thomas Peabody, 
Amos Perley, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Jeremiah Foster. 

1747- 

Jonathan Foster, 
Thomas Redington, 
Nathaniel Symonds, 
Thomas Peabody, 
Thomas Perley. 

1748. 

Benjamin Porter, 
Joseph Symonds, 
Luke Hovey, sen., 
Gideon Bixby, 
Joseph Hale, jun. 



1749. 

Thomas Redington, 
John Hovey, 
Nathaniel Symonds, 
Aaron Kimball, 
Isaac Adams. 

i75°- 

Thomas Redington, 
Jonathan Foster, 
John Peabody, jun., 
Luke Hovey, jun., 
John Hale. 

i75i- 

Jonathan Foster, 
Joseph Hale, jun., 
Aaron Kimball, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Jacob Cummings. 

1752- 
Thomas Peabody, 
John Dorman, 
Francis Perley, 
Richard Kimball, 
John Hale. 

1753. 

Jonathan Foster, 
William Foster, 
Richard Kimball, 
John Peabody, 
Solomon Wood. 

1754- 

Thomas Peabody, 
Thomas Perley, 
Job Tyler, 
Thomas Andrews, 
Paul Prichard. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



379 



1755- 
Thomas Perley, 
Isaac Adams, 
Jacob Cummings, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Solomon Wood. 

1756. 

John Peabody, 
Luke Hovey, 
Solomon Wood, 
Nathan Barker, 
Samuel Fisk. 

*757- 

Thomas Perley, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Aaron Kimball, 
Moses Porter, 
Jacob Cummings. 

1753. 
Jonathan Foster, 
Asa Perley, 
Ebenezer Killam, 
Richard Kimball, 
Solomon Wood. 

1759- 

Jonathan Foster, 
Francis Perley, 
Samuel Fisk, 
John Chadwick, 
Nathan Wood. 

1760. 

Thomas Perley, 
Luke Hovey, 
Aaron Kimball, 
Gideon Tyler, 
Jacob Cummings. 



1761. 

Thomas Perley, 
Luke Hovey, 
Aaron Kimball, 
Gideon Tyler, 
Jacob Cummings. 

1762. 

Aaron Wood, 
Luke Hovey, 
Jacob Cummings, 
Isaac Adams, 
James Andrews. 

1763. 

Aaron Wood, 
Luke Hovey, 
Israel Adams, 
Jacob Cummings, 
James Andrews. 

1764. 

Aaron Wood, 
Isaac Adams, 
Aaron Kimball, 
John Chadwick, 
Asa Perley. 

i7 6 5- 

Aaron Wood, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Jacob Cummings, 
Moses Porter, 
Ebenezer Killam. 

1766. 

Thomas Perley, 
Samuel Runnells, 
Abraham Redington, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Paul Prichard. 



33o 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1767. 

Asa Perley, 
Richard Kimball, 
Nathan Andrews, 
Nathaniel Peabody, 
James Peabody. 

1768. 

Asa Perley, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Ebenezer Killam, 
Stephen Runnells, 
Paul Prichard. 

1769. 

Asa Perley, 
Isaac Adams, 
Richard Foster, 
Moses Porter, 
Nathaniel Perley. 

1770. 

John Hale, 
Samuel Runnells, 
Nathan Andrews, 
Nathaniel Peabody, 
Jacob Cummings. 

1771. 

Asa Perley, 
Isaac Adams, 
Jacob Cummings, 
Joseph Hovey, 
Paul Prichard. 

1772. 

Nathan Wood, 
Isaac Adams, 
William Perley, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Richard Peabody. 



I 773- 
Nathan Andrews, 
Isaac Adams, 
Moses Putnam, 
John Cushing, 
William Perley. 

1774- 

Asa Perley, 
Isaac Adams, 
John Curtis, 
John Robinson, 
Benjamin Perley. 

1775- 

Nathan Andrews, 
Isaac Adams, 
Nathan Wood, 
John Cushing, 
Moses Putnam. 

1776. 

Nathan Andrews, 
Isaac Adams, 
Nathan Wood, 
John Cushing, 
Richard Peabody. 

1777. 

Asa Perley, 
John Chadwick, 
Benjamin Perley, 
Samuel Spofford, 
Jacob Andrews. 

1778. 

Asa Perley, 
John Cushing, 
Benjamin Perley, 
Asa Merrill, 
John Wallit. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



331 



1779. 

William Perley, 
Isaac Adams, 
Benjamin Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
John Dorman. 

1780. 

Nathan Andrews, 
Lemuel Wood, 
John Curtis, 
Bradstreet Tyler, ' 
Asa Peabody. 

1781. 

Aaron Wood, 
Isaac Adams, 
Benjamin Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Moses Peabody. 

1782. 

Asa Perley, 
Asa Merrill, 
John Dorman, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Francis Perley. 

1783- 
Nathan Wood, 
John Robinson, 
Stephen Symonds, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Francis Perley. 

1784. 

Nathan Andrews, 
William Porter, 
Francis Perley, 
Samuel Carleton, jun., 
Asa Peabody. 



1785- 
Francis Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Jonathan Wood, 
William Porter, 
Thomas Perley, jun. 

1786. 

Francis Perley, 
Samuel Carleton, jun., 
Thomas Perley, jun., 
Lemuel Wood, 
Samuel Kimball, jun. 

1787. 

Nathan Andrews, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Samuel Kimball, jun., 
Thomas Adams, 
Amos Perley. 

1788. 

John Dorman, 
John Robinson, 
Francis Perley, 
Ivory Hovey, 
Aaron Perley. 

1789- 
Richard Foster, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Samuel Kimball, jun., 
Moses Carleton, 
Daniel Nurse. 

1790. 

Nathan Andrews, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Richard Foster, 
Moses Carleton, 
Stephen Peabody. 



382 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1791. 

John Dorman, 
Ivory Hovey, 
James Chute, 
Parker Spofford, 
Simeon Stiles. 

1792. 

John Dorman, 
Ivory Hovey, 
James Chute, 
Parker Spofford, 
Simeon Stiles. 

1793- 
Francis Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
David Kimball, jun., 
Parker Spofford, 
Simeon Stiles. 

1794. 

Francis Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
David Kimball, 
Moses Carleton, 
Parker Spofford. 

1795- 
Francis Perley, 
John Tyler, 
David Kimball, 
Samuel Chadwick, 
Moses Dorman. 

1796. 

Thomas Perley, 
John Tyler, 
Timothy Dorman, 
Samuel Chadwick, 
Moses Dorman. 



1797. 

Thomas Perley, 
Enos Runnells, 
Samuel Perley, 
Samuel Spofford, jun., 
Moses Dorman. 

1798. 

Thomas Perley, 
Enos Runnells, 
Moses Dorman, 
Samuel Spofford. 

1799. 

Thomas Perley, 
Israel Adams, 
Nathan Andrews, jun., 
Israel Foster, 
Amos Perley. 

1800. 

Thomas Perley, 
Israel Adams, 
Nathan Andrews, jun., 
Israel Foster, 
Amos Perley. 

1801. 

Thomas Perley, 
Moses Carleton, 
Jacob Andrews, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Symonds. 

1802. 

Thomas Perley, 
Moses Carleton, 
Jacob Andrews, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Symonds. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



383 



1803. 

Thomas Perley, 
Lemuel Wood, 
Jacob Gould, jun., 
Israel Adams, 
Israel Herrick. 

1804. 

Thomas Perley, 
Enos Runnells, 
Joseph Symonds, jun., 
Thomas Spofford, 
Israel Herrick 

1805. 

Thomas Perley, 
Isaac Barker, 
Joseph Symonds, jun., 
John Kimball, 
Israel Herrick. 

1806. 

Thomas Perley, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Symonds, jun., 
Enos Runnells, 
John Dorman. 

1807. 

Moses Dorman, 
John Kimball, 
Stephen Spofford, 
Samuel Carleton, 
Amos Perley. 

1808. 

Jonathan Foster, jun., 
Moses Dorman, 
Stephen Spofford, 
Jonas Runnells, 
Jacob Gould. 



1809. 

Moses Dorman, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Parker Spofford, 
Daniel Adams, 
Daniel Chapman. 

1810. 

Moses Dorman, 
Jonathan Foster, jun., 
Parker Spofford, 
Daniel Adams, 
Daniel Chapman. 

1811. 

Moses Dorman, 
Samuel Spofford, 
Stephen Spofford, 
Samuel Kimball, 
Abraham Perley. 



Stephen Spofford, 
John Kimball, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Parker Spofford, 
Joseph Symonds, jun. 

1813. 

Moses Dorman, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Symonds, jun., 
Simeon Pearl, 
Jacob Gould. 

1814. 

Moses Dorman, 
John Kimball, 
Joseph Symonds, jun., 
Simeon Pearl, 
Jacob Gould. 



3§4 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1815. 

Moses Dorman, 
John Kimball, 
Israel Foster. 

1816. 

Moses Dorman, 
John Kimball, 
Amos Perley, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Solomon Lowe. 

1817. 

Moses Dorman, 
Israel Foster, 
Amos Perley, 
John Tyler, 
Artemas Kimball. 



Moses Dorman, 
Amos Kimball, jun., 
Jacob Gould, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Abraham Perley. 

1819. 

Moses Dorman, 
Amos Kimball, jun., 
Jacob Gould, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Abraham Perley. 

1820. 

Moses Dorman, 
Amos Kimball, jun., 
Jacob Gould, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Abraham Perley. 



1821. 

Moses Dorman, 
Seth Burnham, 
Charles Peabody, 
Simeon Pearl. 

1822. 

Moses Dorman, 
Jonathan Foster, 
Simeon Pearl, 
John Tyler, jun. 

1823. 

Moses Dorman, 
Aaron Spofford, 
Josiah Kimball. 

1824. 

Moses Dorman, 
Simeon Pearl, 
Aaron Spofford. 

1825. 

John Bacon, 
Solomon Lowe, 
Asa Foster. 

1826. 

Josiah Kimball, 
Daniel Wood, 
Benjamin Pearl. 

1827. 

Samuel W. Clement, 
Josiah Kimball, 
Charles Peabody. 

1828. 

Samuel Kimball, 
Samuel W. Clement, 
Edmund Barker. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



335 



1829. 

Samuel VV. Clement, 
Samuel Kimball, 
Phineas Barnes. 

1830. 

Samuel Kimball, 
George Pearl, 
Benjamin Robinson. 

1831. 

Thomas S. Hovey, 
Samuel Kimball, 
Moses Dorman, jun. 

1832. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
Simeon Pearl, 
Amos Kimball. 

1833- 

Amos Kimball, 
Moses Dorman, jun., 
Phineas Barnes. 

1834. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
Amos Kimball, 
William Farnham. 

1835- 

Amos Kimball, 
Moses Dorman, jun., 
George W. Sawyer. 

1836. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
Amos Kimball, 
Thomas S. Hovey. 



1837. 
Joshua T. Day, 
Charles Peabody, 
George W. Sawyer. 

1838. 

George W. Sawyer, 
Joshua T. Day, 
Amos Kimball. 

1839. 

Joshua T. Day, 
Samuel Andrews, 
John Sawyer. 

1840. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
Joshua T. Day, 
George Pearl. 

1 841. 

Joshua T. Day, 
Moses Dorman, jun., 
William H. Herrick. 

1842. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
Samuel W. Clement, 
George Pearl. 

1843. 

Joshua T. Day, 
William H. Herrick, 
John K. Cole. 

1844. 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
George Pearl, 
William R. Kimball. 



386 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1845. 

Joshua T. Day, 
William H. Herrick, 
Ancill Dorman. 

1846 

Moses Dorman, jun., 
William R. Kimball, 
S. W. Jenkins. 

1847. 

George Pearl, 
Ancill Dorman, 
Moses Dorman, jun. 



Moses Dorman, jun., 
George Pearl, 
William R. Cole. 

1849. 

Joshua T. Day, 
Ancill Dorman, 
William Lowe. 

1850. 

Ancill Dorman, 
Joshua T. Day, 
Benjamin S. Barnes. 

1851. 

William R. Cole, 
Ancill Dorman, 
Benjamin S. Barnes. 

1852. 

Ancill Dorman, 
William R. Cole, 
John F. Kimball. 



1853- 
John F. Kimball, 
Moses Dorman, 
Benjamin S. Barnes. 

1854. 

Moses Dorman, 
Oliver P. Killam, 
John F. Kimball. 

1855- 
John F. Kimball, 
William Lowe, 
Leonard Perley. 

1856. 

Moses Dorman, 
George Pearl, 
William R. Cole. 

1857- 
John F. Kimball, 
William E. Killam, 
William H. Herrick. 

1858. 

William E. Killam, 
John F. Kimball, 
William R. Cole. 

1859. 

William R. Cole, 
William E. Killam, 
Benjamin S. Barnes. 

i860. 

William E. Killam, 
William R. Cole, 
Joshua T. Day. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



337 



1861. 

William R. Cole, 
William E. Killam, 
John K. Cole. 

1862. 

William E. Killam, 
George W. Chadwick, 
Thomas L. Spofford. 

1863. 

John F. Kimball, 
William E. Killam, 
Israel Herrick. 

1864. 

William E. Killam, 
Joshua T. Day, 
William R. Cole. 

1865. 

John F. Kimball, 
Benjamin S. Barnes, 
Edward Howe. 

1866. 

Ancill Dorman, 
John F. Kimball, 
Oliver P. Killam. 

1867. 

John F. Kimball, 
Ancill Dorman, 
Roscoe W. Gage. 

1868. 

Roscoe W. Gage, 
Joshua T. Day, 
John Pearl. 



1869. 

George W. Chadwick, 
William E. Killam, 
John K. Cole. 

1870. 

Ancill Dorman, 
George W. Chadwick, 
Joshua T. Day. 

1871. 

George W. Chadwick, 
Ancill Dorman, 
John K. Cole. 

1872. 

Thomas P. Dorman, 
George W. Chadwick, 
William R. Kimball. 

1873- 
Oliver P. Killam, 
Ancill Dorman, 
John K. Cole. 

1874. 

Ancill Dorman, 
George W. Chadwick, 
Israel F. Spofford. 

1875- 
George W. Chadwick, 
Ancill Dorman, 
John K. Cole. 

1876. 

Ancill Dorman, 
George W. Chadwick, 
Isaac W. Andrews. 



388 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



1877. 

George VV. Chadwick, 
John K. Cole, 
Ancill Dorman. 

1878. 
Ancill Dorman, 



George W. Chadwick, 
James Henry Nason. 

1879. 

George W. Chadwick, 
Benjamin S. Barnes, 
John K. Cole. 



APPENDIX C. 

SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM 
B OXFORD. 

SENATORS. 

Two senators only have been furnished by Boxford, viz. : — 

1 781. — Aaron Wood (1719-1791); b. in Boxford; son of 

John and Ruth (Peabody) Wood. (See his biography.) 

1869. — Julius Aboyneau Palmer* (1803-1872) ; b. in Little 

Compton, R.I. ; son of Thomas and Susanna (Palmer) Palmer. 

* Hon. Julius A. Palmer, son of Thomas and Susanna (Palmer) Palmer, 
was born in Little Compton, R.I., June 14, 1803. His parents were both 
descendants of William Palmer, — who came over in the ship " Fortune," and 
landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1621, — though distantly related to each other. 
He went to Boston in 1819, and was, at the time of his death, the senior 
member of the firm of Palmer, Batchelder, & Co., jewellers, in that city. He 
was an uncle of Rev. Charles R. Palmer of the Tabernacle Church, Salem ; 
and he delivered the address at the dedication of the new Tabernacle 
chapel, in 1870. He was an ardent temperance man, and was several times 
selected as the temperance candidate for mayor of Boston. He was a repre- 
sentative to the Legislature from Boston in 1843 and in ^S 1 - Retiring to 
Boxford on account of his age and health, he was elected to the Senate from 
Essex County in 1S69. This was his last public office. Mr. Palmer was 
connected with many charitable, religious, and reformatory organizations, 
where he exercised marked influence on account of his intelligence and high 
personal character. He was an active member and deacon of the Mount 
Vernon Church, Boston. Deacon Palmer, though living much of the time and 
doing business in Boston, was nevertheless closely identified with this town, 
where he held, occupied, and improved a valuable estate, and where he gave 
his encouragement to all good local undertakings. He died in Boston, on 
Thursday, Feb. 15, 1872, and was buried from the Mount Vernon Church the 
following Saturday. Mr. Palmer married Lucy Manning Peabody, daughter 
of Major Jacob Peabody, a descendant of Capt. John Peabody, one of the 
early settlers, who resided in the old mansion that was razed to the ground 

by Deacon Palmer. 
3 3S9 



39° HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 



REPRESENTATIVES. 

It seems that no representative was sent to the General Court 
until the " Old Government " was resumed after the downfall of 
Sir Edmund Andros in the spring of 1689. The first session con- 
vened May 8 of that year. Until 1693, four sessions were held 
annually ; after this time an annual session convened in May, each 
year. The quarterly sessions commencing Oct. 24, 1689, May 
28, 1690, April 14 and May 20, 1691, March 8 and May 4, 1692, 
were convened without a Boxford representative. Of the annual 
sessions, Boxford was not represented in the years 1693, '94, '96, 
'97, 1 701, '05, '06, '08, '^t„ 1739-60 (why for so long a period 
we have never learned), '82, 1789-91, 1818, '22, '24, '25, '26, 
' 2 9> '3°> '37, '42, '44, '45> '48, 1851-56. In 1858 the State 
was divided into representative districts, from two to four, or 
more, towns constituting a district, and one representative being 
annually elected in each district ; the towns furnishing the repre- 
sentatives in turn. The fifteenth district is composed of Box- 
ford, Ipswich, and Rowley. Boxford is in the sixth Congressional 
>district of Massachusetts. The following is a list of representatives 
from Boxford, viz. : — 

1. John Peabody (1642 -1720); b. in Topsfield ; son of 
Lieut. Francis and Mary (Foster) Peabody. Was representative 
for the quarterly sessions commencing May 8, 1689, Oct. 8 and 
Dec. 10, 1690, Oct. 14 and December, 1691, and (with Thomas 
Perley) June 8, 1692 ; and of the annual sessions, 1695, '98, '99, 
(with Thomas Perley) 1700, and 1 710-13. 

2. John Perley (1636-1729) ; b. in Ipswich; son of Allan and 
Susanna (Bokeson) Perley. Was representative for the quarterly 
sessions commencing Feb. 12, 1690, and Feb. 3, 1691. 

3. Thomas Perley (1641-1709); b. in Ipswich; brother to 
the preceding. Was representative (with John Peabody) for the 
quarterly session commencing June 8, 1692. 

4. Thomas Perley (1668 -1745); b. in Rowley; son of 
Thomas (the above) and Lydia (Peabody) Perley. Was repre- 
sentative, (with John Peabody) 1700, '02, (with William Foster) 
1703, '07,' 09, 'iS, and '19. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 391 

5. Thomas Perley (1 668-1 740) ; b. in Ipswich; son of John 
(above) and Mary (Howlet) Perley. Was representative, (with 
Stephen Peabody) 1727. 

6. William Foster ( 1 670-1 755) ; b. in Boxford ; son of 
William and Mary (Jackson) Foster. Was representative, (with 
Lieut. Thomas Perley). 1703. 

7. Samuel Symonds (1 638-1 722) ; was representative, 1704. 

8. Joseph Hale (1671-1761) ; b. in Newbury; son of Thomas 
and Mary (Hutchinson) Hale. Was representative, 17 14-17, 
1720-25, 172S-32, and 1735. 

9. Stephen Peabody (1685-1759) ; b. in Boxford; son of 
William and Hannah (Hale) Peabody. Was representative, 
1726, (with Lieut. Thomas Perley) 1727. 

10. John Symonds (1674-17 — ) ; b. in Boxford; son of Samuel 
(above) and Elizabeth (Andrews) Symonds. Was representative, 

*734j 1736-38- 

n. Aaron Wood (1719-1791) ; b. in Boxford; son of John 
and Ruth (Peabody) Wood. Was representative, 1761-70, '73, 
'74, 1776-79. 

12. Asa Perley (1716-1806) ; b. in Boxford; son of Thomas 
and Sarah (Osgood) Perley. Was representative, 1 771, '72, 
(member of the Provincial Congress) '75, 1780-81. 

13. Isaac Adams (1713—1 797) ; b. in Rowley; son of Isaac 
and Hannah (Spofford) Adams. Was representative, 1783-86, '88. 

14. Nathan Andrews (1 726-1806) ; b. in Boxford; son of 
Robert and Deborah (Frye) Andrews. Was representative, 1787. 

15. Thomas Perley (1746-1831) ; b. in Boxford; son of 
Thomas and Eunice (Putnam) Perley. Was representative, 
1 792-1810, — nineteen years in all. 

16. Parker Spofford (1755— 1837) ; b. in Boxford; son of 
Samuel and Mary (Poor) Spofford. Was representative, 1S11-14. 

17. Israel Foster (1765-18 — ); b. in Boxford; son of 
Jonathan and Rebecca (Dorman) Foster. Was representative, 
1815-17. 

18. Moses Dorman (1765-1850) ; b. in Boxford; son of John 
and Hannah (Jackson) Dorman. Was representative, 18 19-21. 

19. Solomon Lowe (1782-1861) ; b. in Boxford; son of 



392 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Nathan and Lucy (Lord) Lowe. Was representative, 1823, '27, 
'28, and '41. 

20. Charles Peabody. Was representative, 1831-34. 

21. Moses Dorman (1S03-1877) ; b. in Boxford; son of Moses 
(above) and Huldah (Gould) Dorman. Was representative, 

i 8 35-36. 

22. Josiah Kimball (1803-1878) ; b. in Boxford; son of David 
Kimball. Was representative, 1838. 

23. Moses Kimball (1 798-1879) ; b. in Boxford; son of John 
and Ruth (Eastman) Kimball. Was representative, 1839-40. 

24. Benjamin Peabody (1 789-1879) ; b. in Boxford; son of 
Ebenezer and Sarah (Pearl) Peabody. Was representative, 1843. 

25. William Lowe (1807-1870) ; b. in Boxford; son of Gen. 
Solomon (above) and Huldah (Kimball) Lowe. Was repre- 
sentative, 1846-47. 

26. Enoch Wood (1797) ; b. in Boxford; son of Jonathan and 
Abigail (Hale) Wood. Was representative, 1849, '50, and '58. 

27. George Pearl (1 798-1878); b. in Boxford ; son of John 
and Mehitable (Hall) Pearl. Was representative, 1S57, — the 
last under the old system. 

28. John Kimball Cole (1814) ; b. in Boxford; son of Kim- 
ball and Abigail (Runnells) Cole. Chosen representative, 1861. 

29. Jefferson Kimball ( 1808-18 79) ; b. in North Andover; 
son of Thomas Kimball. Chosen representative, 1864. 

30. Roscoe W. Gage (1839-1869) ; b. in Pelham, N.H. ; son 
of Abel and Anna Gage. Chosen representative, 1868. 

31. Charles Perley; b. in Dunbarton, N.H. ; son of Benjamin 
and Ruth (Mills) Perley. Chosen representative, 1S73. 

32. William Symmes Coggin (181 2) ; b. in Tewksbury, Mass.; 
son of Rev. Jacob and Mary (Symmes) Coggin. Chosen repre- 
sentative, 1878. 



APPENDIX D. 

MORTALITY, ETC. 

Boxford has always been noted, on account of its rural advan- 
tages, temperance, and simple manner of living, as one of the 
most healthful places that can be found anywhere in our northern 
latitude. It has been a current remark, and one that is exceed- 
ingly full of meaning, that Boxford is without a doctor. The 
reason of this is, there is little for a doctor to do. Dr. George 
Moody, who was settled here for a few months, said : " I might 
as well practise in heaven." The inhabitants live generally to 
extreme old age. The prevalence of fatal diseases is almost 
unknown. Small-pox was first known in 1722 ; and it prevailed to 
a slight extent in 1760, and resulted in the deaths of Lydia, wife 
of Dr. Foster, Jan. 17, and Richard, son of Richard Pearl, Dec. 
7, both of the West Parish. In a letter dated Aug. 26, 1776, 
Eunice, wife of John Pearl, says, "The small-pox has been at 
Richard Tyler's for several weeks past ; those who have had it 
are likely to get well." Again, in 1854, we were visited by this 
dire disease; this time resulting, Dec. 17, in the death of James 
Leach, a native of Taungend, Eng., and a laborer in the cotton- 
factory. In order to prevent the prevalence of this disease, Cor- 
nelius Gould, Stephen Peabody, and Israel Adams were appointed 
a committee April 15, 18.i1, to superintend inoculation. 

Deaths by casualty have been very few, most of them being 
occasioned by drowning. Samuel Sessions, an old man of seventy 
years of age, was drowned Dec. 6, 1750, "in the brook near the 
house of John Chadwick." Amos, son of Samuel Spofford, was 
drowned in Hovey's Pond July 1, 1814, aged seven years. Wil- 
liam Runnells and Isaac Peabody were lost at sea about October, 
18 18. Mark Genness of the West Parish was drowned Jan. 15, 

3^3 



394 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1833, aged twenty-nine years. Within the last quarter of a century, 
several cases of drowning have occurred among our young men, — 
Samuel K. Coggin, Frank F. Russell, and others. Mr. John Fos- 
ter, jun., was killed by lightning, July 24, 1772. A few cases of 
suicide have occurred, most of them by hanging, among which 
are those of Moses Wood, Joseph Adams, Mrs. Tyler, Edward G. 
Batchelder, Edward Hussey, and Dudley Cummings. 

The following is a list of those persons that have died in Box- 
ford at an age exceeding ninety years : — 

1. John Perley, widower ; d. 15 Dec, 1729, a. ninety-three 
years; b. in Ipswich, Mass., 1636; son of Allan and Susanna 
(Bokeson) Perley ; buried in Boxford. 

2. Mary Durin, widow; d. 14 Feb., 1749, "between ninety 
and a hundred years old, as is supposed." 

3. Susanna Hovey, widow; d. 22 Dec, 1767, a. ninety years, 
ten months, twenty-one days; b. 1 Feb., 1677; dau. of Moses 
Pillsbury; widow of Luke Hovey of Boxford. (See No. 8.) 

4. Hannah Adams, married; d. 3 Sept., 1775, a. ninety-three 
years. 

5. Susanna Cole, widow ; d. 29 July, 1785, a. ninety-five years ; 
widow of Samuel Cole of Boxford. 

6. Hannah Kimball, widow ; d. 16 April, 1786, a. ninety-nine 
years. 

7. Mary Smith, married; d. 23 May, 1792, a. ninety-two 
years. "Sarah Smith, widow ; d. 9 July, 1792, a. ninety-three 
years." Is this the same ? 

8. Dorcas Foster, widow; d. — Aug., 1793, a. ninety-two 
years, three months ; b. in Boxford, 10 May, 1 701 ; dau. of Luke 
and Susanna (Pillsbury) [No. 3] Hovey; widow of John Foster. 

9. Richard Pearl, widower ; d. 20 Dec, 1793, a. ninety-one 
years, seven months; b. in Bradford, 20 May, 1702 ; son of John 
and Elizabeth (Holmes) Pearl. 

10. Thomas Perley, widower; d. 28 Sept., 1795, a - ninety 
years, seven months, six days ; b. in Boxford, 2 2 Feb., 1 704-05 ; 
son of Thomas and Sarah (Osgood) Perley of Boxford; buried in 
Boxford. 

11. Mary Chadwick, widow; d. 4 Oct., 1798, a. ninety-three 
years. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 395 

12. Prudence Tyler, d. 23 July, 1804, a. one hundred years. 

13. Moses Porter, widower; d. 3 Nov., 181 1, a. ninety-one 
years, eleven months, fifteen days; b. in Boxford, 18 Nov., 1719; 
son of Benjamin and Sarah (Tyler) Porter of Boxford. 

14. Molly Smith, " Mrs. ; " d. — Oct., 18 14, a. ninety years. 

15. Barker, widow; d. 21 Dec., 1S14, a. ninety years ; 

widow of John Barker of Andover. 

16. Mary Porter, widow; d. 1 Jan., 1818, a. ninety-six years. 

17. Rebecca Young, married ; d. 1 June, 1819, a. ninety-four 
years. She was of Wellfleet when she died ; buried in Boxford. 

18. Asa Parker; d. 29 May, 1820, a. ninety years. 

19. Chadwick, widow; d. 8 Nov., 1824, a. ninety-eight 

years ; widow of Ephraim Chadwick. 

20. Margaret Wood, widow; d. 10 Feb., 1830, a. one hun- 
dred and one years, ten months ; b. in Topsfield, 29 April, 1728 ; 

dau. of Perkins ; widow of Thomas Wood of Boxford. (See 

No. 29.) 

21. Jane Andrews, widow; d. 24 Feb., 1837, a. ninety years, 
seven months, twenty-four days ; b. in Topsfield, 30 July, 1 746 ; 
dau. of Simon and Jane (Palmer) Gould ; widow of Jacob 
Andrews of Boxford. 

22. Lydia Spofford, widow; d. 6 Sept., 1839, a. ninety-five 
years; b. in VValtham, 18 Jan., 1745 ; dau. of Phineas and Grace 
(Hastings) Warren of Waltham ; widow of Benjamin Spofford of 
Boxford ; buried in Boxford. 

23. Bradstreet Tyler, widower; d. 5 April, 1842, a. ninety- 
six years, seven months, eight days ; b. in Boxford, 2 7 Aug., 
1745 ; son of Job and Elizabeth (Parker) Tyler. (See No. 37.) 

24. Samuel Carleton, widower; d. 18 March, 1843, a. ninety- 
two years, six months, one day; b. in Boxford, 17 Sept., 1750; 
son of Samuel and Rebecca (Goodridge) Carleton of Boxford. 

25. Mary Dole, widow; d. 26 Feb., 1844, a. ninety-two years. 

26. Mary Wood, widow; d. 21 Nov., 1844, a. ninety-two 
years. 

27. Barker, widow; d. 30 April, 1845, a. ninety-one 

years ; widow of John Barker. 

28. Mary Smith, widow; d. 21 Nov., 1846, a. ninety-four 
years. 



39 6 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

2Q. Mehitable Perley, widow; d. 15 March, 1853, a. ninety- 
one years, three months, nineteen days; b. in Boxford, 26 Nov., 
1 76 1 ; dau. of Thomas and Margaret (Perkins) [No. 20] Wood; 
widow of Aaron Perley ; buried in Boxford. 

30. John Chapman, unmarried; d. 9 March, 1861, a. ninety- 
one years, seven months, nine days ; b. in Boxford, 1 Aug., 1769 ; 
son of Daniel and Hepzibah Chapman of Boxford ; buried in 
Boxford. 

31. Eunice Wildes, widow; d. 19 Sept., 1864, a. ninety-four 
years, eight months, twenty-four days ; b. in Ipswich, 25 Dec, 
1 769 ; dau. of Lot and Eunice Conant of Ipswich, Mass. ; widow 
of Dudley Wildes ; d. of dysentery ; buried in Topsfield. 

32. Hannah Holyoke, unmarried; d. 5 Dec, 1865, a. ninety- 
one years, one month, nineteen days; b. in Boxford, 16 Oct., 
1774; dau. of Rev. Elizur and Hannah (Peabody) Holyoke; 
buried in Boxford. 

^^. William Tyler, widower; d. "of old age and fever," 25 
Aug., 1S67, a. ninety-two years, ten months, fifteen days; b. in 
Boxford, 10 Oct., 1774; son of Abraham and Abigail (Stickney) 
Tyler of Boxford ; buried in Boxford. 

34. John Day, widower; d. "of old age," 3 Aug., 1868, a. 
ninety-one years, seven months, twenty-three days ; b. in Brad- 
ford, 10 Dec, 1776; son of John and Elizabeth (Ingersol) Day; 
buried in Boxford. 

35. Mary Batchelder, widow; d. of old age, 22 June, 1871, 
a. ninety-one years, nine months, twenty-two days ; b. in Tops- 
field, 31 Aug., 1779; dau. of Joseph and Annie Cummings ; 
widow of Jacob Batchelder ; buried in Boxford. 

36. Mary Gowen, widow; d. 6 Feb., 1872, a. ninety-two years, 
three months ; b. in " Boxford ; " dau. of Bimsley Peabody ; buried 
in Boxford. 

37. John Tyler, unmarried; d. 12 Nov., 1872, a. ninety-one 
years, seven months ; b. in Boxford ; son of Bradstreet [No. 23] 
and Mary (Foster) Tyler ; buried in Boxford. 

38. Sally Clemment, widow; d. of apoplexy, 2 Dec, 1877, a. 
ninety years, three months, eight days ; b. in Boxford, 24 Aug., 
1787 ; dau. of Simeon and Polly (Smith) Cole of Boxford ; widow 
of Samuel W. Clemment ; buried in Boxford. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 397 

39. Mehitable Blanchard, widow; d. 3 Feb., 1878, a. ninety- 
two years, nine months, twenty-eight days ; b. in Boxford, 5 April, 
17S5; dau. of Daniel and Sarah (Bradstreet) Gould; widow of 
Rev. Abijah Blanchard ; buried in Boxford. 

40. Hannah Friend, unmarried; d. 25 March, 1878, a. ninety- 
three years, five months, five days ; b. in Dracut, 20 Oct. 1 784 ; 
dau. of John and Hannah (Wells) Friend of Wenham ; buried in 
Wenham. 

41. Nancy R. Fowler, widow; d. 15 June, 1878, a. ninety 
years, eleven months, fifteen days ; dau. of Jonathan Kavitt. 



APPENDIX E. 

LIST OF COLLEGE GRADUATES FROM B OXFORD. 



Names. 



Chandler Braman Adams 
Charles Israel Adams . 

George W. Atherton . . 

Benjamin Chadvvick . . 
John Cushing .... 
John Hubbard Eaton . 

Peter Sydney Eaton . . 

Moses Hale 

William Augustus Herrick 
Samuel Holyoke . . 
Joseph Hovey . . . 
Rufus Porter Hovey . 
David Jewett . . . 
Walter Henry Kimball 
Albert Bradstreet Peabody 

Augustus Peabody 

Oliver Peabody 
Samuel Peabody 
Stephen Peabody 
William Peabody 
Daniel Perley . 
Humphrey Clark 
Ira Perley . • 
Nathaniel Perley 
Asa Porter . . 
John Rogers 
Francis Savage 
James Scales . 
Stephen Symonds 
Dean Tyler . . 
Jacob Wood 



Perley 



Native Place. 


Where Graduated. 


When. 


Boxford. 


Union.* 


i8ss- 


" 


Dartmouth. 


l8 S 2. 


Newburyport. 


( Yale, 
j Amherst. 


1863. 


Boxford. 


Harvard. 


1770. 
1761. 
1827. 


u 


\ Harvard. ' 

\ Theo. Sem., Andover. 


1S1S. 




1822. 


(< 


Harvard. 


1722. 


" 


Dartmouth 


1854. 


a 


Harvard. 


1789. 
1804. 
1813. 
1776. 


" 


Dartmouth. 


1841. 


(i 


Amherst. 


18 SQ. 




j Dartmouth. 


1803. 




( Harvard (Laureate). 


1S09. 


Boxford. 


Harvard. 


I72T. 


" 


Dartmouth. 


1803. 


" 


Harvard. 


1769. 


u 
tl 


Dartmouth. 


1 79-. 
1828. 
1791. 
1822. 
1791. 


<< 


Harvard. 


1762. 
I 73 2 - 


" 


Dartmouth. 




" 


Harvard. 


Vtt- 


it 


Harvard. 


1776. 


" 


Dartmouth. 





393 



* Schenectady, N.Y. 



APPENDIX F. 

NEW SETTLERS, 1700-17 25. 

Ammey. — John m. Abigail Daland, 2 Feb., 1721-22, and had 
two children born here: Abigail, 1723, and Michael, 1726. She 
joined the church in 1728; and they probably went to Haverhill 
shortly after, as a John " Amey " was there in 1732. 

Archer. — Benjamin came from Rowley, 1716. By his wife 
Anna, one child was born here, — Mehitable, 1 71 7. He had other 
children : Sarah, Benjamin, and Josiah. Was in Boxford as late 
as 1720. 

Balch. — Cornelius came to Boxford, 1713. By his wife Mary, 
had two children born here: Mary, 1715, and Cornelius, 171 7. 
Cornelius, jun., m. Martha Robinson of Topsfield, 1739, and 
settled in Topsfield. 

Bradford. — William, by wife Grace, had several children ; 
first one born in 1723. He was here as late as 1740. 

Brown. — Cornelius was surveyor in 1707, and a selectman in 
1 71 1. Wife, Susanna. His dau. Susanna was admitted to 
First Church, 1705. He lived in the West Parish, and belonged 
to the church in Bradford till the Second Church was formed in 
Boxford. His wife cf. in 1 734, at the age of seventy-four years. 
He was in Boxford in 1737. Aaron ; wife, Susanna, by whom he 
had ch. : Aaron, b. 1720; Daniel, 1722; and Abigail, 1724. 
He was taxed here, 1717 and 1718. He d. before 1 731, when 
she m. William Lakeman of Ipswich. Caleb was deacon of the 
Second Church. Wife, Elizabeth. First child b. 1724. Ch. : 
Sarah, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth, Caleb, Susanna, Clark, Hepzi- 
bah, David, and Maximilian. Removed to Harvard, spring of 

1743- 

Burbank. — Caleb, b. in Rowley, 1 May, 167 1 ; son of Caleb 

399 



400 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

and Martha (Smith) Burbank. Came to Boxford before 1711. 
His wife was Hannah, by whom he had ch. b. in Boxford : 
Timothy, Margaret, Asa, and David. He d. "very suddenly," 
1 Feb., 1749-50, a. seventy-nine years. Ebenezer, brother of 
Caleb, b. in Rowley, 28 June, 1687. Was taxed here 1 715, 1716. 
Calls himself of Boxford, 171 7, when he confirms to Samuel Cole 
of Lynn the farm occupied by the late Manly H. Cole. Wife, 
Sarah. Carpenter by trade. 

Butman. — Matthew; m., 1st, Faith Jewett, 1716, who d. the 
following March, a. twenty-two years. He m., 2d, Hannah 
Cummings, 1720, by whom he had : Hannah, b. 1721 ; Ebenezer, 
1724; Elizabeth, 1730; Mary, 1734; and Asa. Was constable 
in 1736. 

Chapman. — William m. Ann Jenks, 1704. Dau. Elizabeth 
baptized, 1706. "William Chapman, jun.," admitted to First 
Church, 1704. 

Clark. — William. Weaver. Wife, Jean. Son John b. 14 
Feb., 1 712 ; d. 30 July, 1714, For several years Mr. Clark was a 
pauper, and he was boarded out with different families until the 
winter of 1742-43, when, living with Benjamin Porter, he was 
taken sick, and was treated by Dr. Foster ; he d. Feb. 8, 1742-43. 

Cleaves. — William. Wife, Rebecca. Son William b. 2 
April, 1 71 2. 

Cole. — John of Lynn {ante of Maiden), cooper by trade ; m. 

Sarah , and had ch. : Samuel, b. 27 Dec, 16S7, and Anna, 

5 Aug., 1690. In 1 71 7 Samuel came to Boxford with his father, 
and, for one hundred and ten pounds, purchased of Ebenezer 
Burbank the farm on which his posterity have resided until within 
a few years (the farm of the late Mr. Manly H. Cole, in the 
West Parish). This was the tract of sixty-seven acres laid out 
to Thomas Leaver in 1666.* John Cole, the father, d. "very 
suddenly," 1737, a. sixty-eight years. Samuel d. 1765, and his 
widow Susanna, 1 785, a. ninety-five years. Samuel's children were : 
Samuel, John, Rebecca, Susanna, and Mary. The last-mentioned 
Samuel (who was great-grandfather of Mr. D. M. Cole) had a 
family of fifteen children. John removed to Amherst, N. H., about 

* See page 42. 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 401 

x 7 6 3- Jonathan m. Judith Brown, 1724. Lived in Boxford in 
1738, and removed to Harvard in 1746. 

Cummings. — Thomas was b. in Topsfield, 27 June, 1670, and 
was son of Isaac Cummings, who m. Mary, dau. of Robert 
Andrews of Boxford. He came to Boxford before his marriage. 
March 20, 1705, he m. Mehitable Porter of Salem. By her he 
had four children born, one of whom, Jacob, lived here, and had 
seven children, two of whom were Dudley and Thomas, — two 
queer characters, whose non compos mentis state is well known to 
our older inhabitants. They lived with Mr. John Sawyer — father 
of our present resident of that name — until their death. Thomas 
was b. 12 Oct., 1765, and d. 29 May, 1834, at the age of sixty- 
eight years. Dudley was b. 18 Feb., 1748, and hung himself in 
Willis' Woods, in the East Parish, at a locality known as "The 
College," June 25, 1815, a. sixty-seven years. His mode of self- 
execution was novel. He went to "The College," which lies a 
short distance from the house, to gather herbs, carrying with him 
a line with which to tie his bundle. Taking the line, he stretched 
it from one tree to another, several feet from the ground, near 
a large ledge whose perpendicular side rose up in close proximity 
to the trees. Letting his feet lie on the top of the ledge, he 
placed his neck upon the line, and there lay till death ensued. 

Dorman. — Ephraim, b. in Topsfield, 17 Sept., 1677; was son 
of Ephraim and Mary Dorman. He settled in Boxford, 17 10; 
and died in 1724. By his wife Martha, six children were born 
here. Jabez, also from Topsfield, m., 1st, Hepzibah Perley, 
1 7 1 5 ; had a son, Jabez, b. 1 7 1 6 ; and mother and son d. same 
year. He m., 2d, Abial Foster, 1716, and had another son, Jabez, 
b. 1717. 

Fisk. — Samuel 'was here, 1705. Wife, Sarah. Ch. : Hannah, b. 
1707; Mary, 1710; Sarah, 1713; and Samuel, 1716. Was taxed 
here till 1718. John was taxed here as early as 1711. Wife, 
Abigail. He d. before 1727, when she m. Thomas Holt of 
Andover. 

Foster. — Benjamin came from Topsfield about 1720. Father 
of Dr. Foster. Born in Ipswich, 1670. Weaver. Wife, Ann. 
Removed to Billerica about 1729, and d. at Lunenburg, 1735. 
Had several children. 



402 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

Frame. — John m. Elizabeth Stiles, 1 719, and had ch. : Marcy 
and Mary (twins), b. 1720; John, 1723 ; and Lydia, 1726. 

Gallup. — Thomas was taxed here, 17 16. By wife Love, he 
had children born in Boxford : Abigail, 1720; William, 1722; 
George, 1726; Jeremiah, 1728; Sarah, 1733; and Mary, 1739. 
Warned out of town in 1729, but came back again, and lived here 
many years afterwards. 

Gar. — Thomas. By wife Ann, his son John was born, 1725. 

Gould. — Samuel, came from Topsfield, 1700. He was son of 
Capt. John and Sarah (Baker) Gould, and born in Topsfield, 
March 9, 1669-70. He married Margaret Stone, 1697, and had 
children : Sarah, Samuel, Moses, Patience, Jonathan, Margaret, 
Zaccheus, and Hubbard. The sons ultimately settled in Brook- 
field and Lunenburg. Mr. Gould died, 1724. In 1714 his house 
was destroyed by fire, and the town abated his tax for that reason. 

Hardy. — Nathaniel. By wife Prudence, he had children born 
here: "Roos," 1707; Elizabeth, 1709; Keziah, 1 7 1 1 ; Zacha- 
riah, 1713; Abigail, 17 15; Richard, 17 18; and Martha, 1720. 
He died before 1725. 

Howe. — John. Lived in what is now Middleton. By wife 
Sarah Caves (whom he married in 1697, when they were both of 
Topsfield), he had children born here : Mark, 1701 ; Sarah, 1703 ; 
" — ey" (dau.), 1705-06; and Joseph, 1 719. 

Iles. — ; William ; said to be a native of England ; m. Eliza- 
beth Curtis, 1 719. Children born here : Elizabeth, William, John, 
Jacob, and Mary. William married, and lived here, as also another 
generation. 

Jewett. — Thomas was born in Rowley, 20 Sept., 1666, and 
was son of Ezekiel and Faith (Parrott) Jewett. He married Han- 
nah Swan, 1692, and had children born in Rowley : Ezekiel, 1693 ; 
Faith, 1694; and Mehitable, 1698. Came to Boxford about 
1703, having married a second wife, Faith. He died in 1731. 
He probably settled where these lines are being written, and 
where his posterity resided till they removed to New Hampshire, 
a century ago. 

Kenney. — Daniel, by wife Mary, had children born here : 
Daniel, 1705; Isaac, 1707; Israel, 1712; Mary, 1 715 ; Ruth, 



HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 403 

1 71 7; and Eunice, 1719. He was selectman in 1724. Jona- 
than, by wife Rebecca, had children born here : Jonathan, 1712 ; 
Rebecca, 1714; and Thomas, 1716. Both of these settlers 
resided in that part of the town which was afterwards Middleton. 

Killam. — Samuel. Came from Wilmington. Was taxed here 
many years. He married Grace Symonds, 1 715, and had a son 
Samuel born in 1716. Thorn as was taxed as early as 1711. By 
wife Sarah he had children born here: Ebenezer, 17 14, and 
Sarah, 1716. Ebenezer also resided here. John married Abi- 
gail Symonds, 1725, and probably erected the "old Killam house ;" 
had ch. : Abigail, b. 1725; John, 1729; and Mary, 1731. He 
died, 1738. John, jun., was the grandfather of Samuel, George, 
Oliver P., and the late William E. Killam. 

Knox. — Adam, by wife Jane, had children born here: Jane, 
1721; John, 1724; Elizabeth, 1726; W T illiam, 1730; Adam, 
1732; and Mary, 1734. 

Perkins. — Nathaniel owned land, and was taxed here as early 
as 1 714. It is thought by the writer, that he built and resided in 
the "old Hood house," lately occupied by Mr. Benjamin Hood, 
in the East Parish. He married Hannah Hazen of Boxford, 1716, 
by whom he had several children born here : Nathaniel, Daniel, 
Israel, Mary, Benjamin, Hannah, Hepzibah, Eunice, and Jacob. 
The family were here as late as 1760. 

Pickard. — Samuel. He married Phebe Bixby, 1713 ; and his 
son Samuel was baptized in 1 714. Thomas. Pie was here as early 
as 1 714, and was chosen constable in 1740. 

Porter. — Benjamin, was born in Wenhara in 1692, and was 
son of John and Lydia (Herrick) Porter. He married, 1716, and 
settled in Boxford. He was the ancestor of the Boxford Porters. 
He had children : Mary, Moses, Benjamin, Sarah, Tyler, and 
Lucy. He died, 1778, aged eighty-six years. Moses and Benjamin 
(great-grandfather of Capt. J. J. Porter) settled in Boxford. 
Among the descendants of this settler are Rufus King Porter, 
Bowdoin College, 181 3, lawyer at Machias, Me., forty years; John 
Cooper Porter, banker of St. Louis, Mo. ; George Thatcher Por- 
ter, physician at Calais, Me. ; John C. Porter, professor of mathe- 
matics at New-York Central College ; Thomas W. Porter, lawyer 



404 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

in Boston, member of Massachusetts Legislature ; Byron Porter, 
physician of Newport, Me., member of Maine Legislature ; and 
Parker Cleaveland Porter, graduate Maine Medical School, 1863, 
surgeon in the Rebellion. 

Scales. — Jame s was b. in Rowley, 30 March, 1679, and was 
son of James and Sarah (Curtis) Scales. He m. Sarah Curtis (his 
cousin) of Boxford, 1 703, and settled in Boxford. He resided 
near the residence of Mr. Oliver P. Killam. Although they were 
in humble circumstances, one of the sons entered the ministry, 
after passing through the collegiate course at Harvard. The 
children of this settler were : Mary, James, Moses, Hannah, John, 
Nathan, Mercy, Joseph, and Oliver. The family removed to 
Wilmington about 1 740. 

Spofford. — Thomas was b. in Georgetown (then Rowley) , 6 
June, 1678, and was son of Samuel and Sarah (Birkbee) Spofford. 
He m. Bethiah Hazeltine, 1701, and settled in Boxford. Ch. : 

(son), Bethiah, Mehitable, Hannah, Dorothy, Thomas, 

Elizabeth, and Abraham. Samuel, brother to the above, was b. in 
1690, and came to Boxford upon his marriage with Sarah Stickney 
of Bradford, 171 7. He was taxed here as early as 17 14. Ch. : 
Bethiah, b. 1719; Sarah, 1721; Samuel, 1722; Thomas, 1726; 
Amos, 1729. Through the last-mentioned Amos, and his son 
Thomas, Samuel was the great-grandfather of the late Richard and 
Capt. Aaron Spofford. 

Stewart. — James, by wife Elizabeth, had a son, Moses, b. 
here 12 July, 171 2. This settler was here in 1716. 



APPENDIX G. 

LIST OF DEACONS. 

First Church. — Thomas Perley was a deacon in 1 708, and 
he died next year. Abraham Redington was one in 1710, and 
continued in office till 1713, Dec. 22, when he died. Daniel 
Wood was deacon in 1714, and was also styled deacon in 1718. 
Timothy Foster was deacon in 171S, and continued in office until 
a new set of deacons were chosen in 1759, on the settlement of 
Rev. Mr. Holyoke. Jonathan Foster was a deacon in 171 7, and 
probably continued in office to his death, May 21, 1730. Nathan 
Peabody was chosen in November of that year to take his place. 
Deacon Peabody died March 4, 1 733, at the age of fifty years. 
Thomas Redington was then chosen in December, 1 734, who 
continued in office till a new set of deacons were chosen in 1759, 
as above stated, on account of the mixed matters of the church 
during the long interval that it had been without a settled pastor. 

The deacons chosen in April, 1759, were Aaron Kimball and 
Joseph Hale. Deacon Kimball was in office as late as 1774, and 
was probably followed by Joseph Symonds, who was in office in 
1778. He was followed by John Dorman, who is first found in 
office in 1782. Deacon Dorman died in 1792, and Moses Pea- 
body was chosen in his stead in September of that year. Deacon 
Peabody died in January, 1826, and his son, Oliver Tyler Peabody, 
was appointed in his stead in June, 1827. Deacon Peabody 
resigned in 1S53; and the present deacon, John K. Cole, was 
chosen in his stead in June of that year. Deacon Joseph Hale, 
above mentioned, resigned in 1765, and died Oct. 5, 1778, aged 
eighty-six years. In December, 1765, Stephen Symonds was 
appointed to take his place. Deacon Symonds died April 9, 
1808, at the age of eighty years. He was followed in October, 

405 



406 HISTORY OF BOXFORD. 

1 795, by Jonathan Wood, who died two years later; and he was 
followed in May, 1798, by Parker Spofford, who married the 
widow of his predecessor in office. Deacon Spofford died in 
1836 ; and in June, 1838, Josiah Kimball was chosen to take his 
place. Deacon Kimball removed to Lawrence in 1852 ; and in 
August of that year Samuel Bixby, who is still in office, was 
chosen to fill the vacancy. Deacon Kimball died in Boston, 
where he had resided for some years, in 1878. 

Second Church. — After the church was incorporated in the 
West Parish, two deacons were chosen. These were John Woster 
and Caleb Brown. Deacon Woster removed to Leicester in 1745, 
and was dismissed from his office Oct. 7 of that year. Thomas 
Chadwick was appointed his successor the following April 21. 
Deacon Chadwick was succeeded by Asa Parker, April 8, 1 790 ; 
and Parker served till March 20, 1806. The other original dea- 
con, Caleb Brown, removed to Harvard in the spring of 1743, and 
David Foster was chosen in his stead June 15, 1743. Deacon 
Foster served till his death in 1759, when Lieut. Joseph Hovey 
was chosen to succeed him, Aug. 24 of that year. Deacon Hovey 
died in 1785, and in April of the following year John Chadwick 
was chosen to fill the vacancy. Deacon Chadwick resigned Nov. 
*9> 1 795? an d died in 1797. Deacon Chadwick was succeeded 
by John Robinson, Esq., who was appointed Nov. 19, 1795, and 
continued in office till he resigned, March 20, 1806. 

March 20, 1806, a new pair of deacons were chosen, namely, 
Bradstreet Tyler and Charles Foster. Deacon Tyler declined 
serving longer, x\pril 13, 18 14, and thanks were voted to him for 
his " acceptable services." John Day was appointed Deacon 
Tyler's successor on the same day. Deacon Day continued in 
office till June 2, 1848, when both he and Deacon Foster resigned. 

June 2, 1848, a new pair of deacons were again chosen, namely, 
Joshua T. Day and Daniel K. Gage. Deacon Day served till his 
death, Feb. 12, 1873, when he was succeeded by Dane Foster, 
who is now in office. Deacon Gage served till his death in the 
spring of 1875. He was succeeded, June 16 of that year, by Isaac 
W. Andrews, who is now in office. Several of the deacons have 
been residents of North Andover. 






INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Abell, 78. 

Adams, 50, 178, 189, 194, 195, 216, 
221, 225, 226, 228-231, 245, 248, 
249, 257, 280, 300, 304, 353, 364, 

378-383, 39i> 393, 394, 398- 

Aiken, 247. 

Ainger, 190. 

Alden, 232-234. 

Allen, 94, 238. 

Almy, 60. 

Ames, 30, 31, 68, 74, 86, 109, no, 
118, 120-123, 125, 127, 151, 165- 
167, 195, 280, 313, 326, 328, 373- 
376. 

Amherst, 187. 

Ammey, 399. 

Anderson, 290, 310, 313, 326, 328. 

Andre, 225. 

Andrews, 24-27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37- 
39, 60, 6s, 68, 69, 71, 72, 76, 77, 
97, 107-112, 114, 116, 117, 126, 
127, 148, 150, 169, 170, 173, 1S2, 
1S9, 217, 219, 221, 226, 228-230, 
235, 237, 240, 253, 256, 283, 304, 

335, 355, 37i, 373-382, 385, 387, 

391, 395, 401, 406. 
Andros, 104-106, 390. 
Antrum, 26. 
Appleton, 81. 
Archer, 399. 
Arnold, 225. 



Atherton, 304, 398. 

Austin, 32. 

Averill, 229. 

Ayers, 75, 78, 181, 240, 335. 

Babson, 48, 74. 

Bacon, 38, 190, 254, 255, 280, 348, 

371, 384. 
Badger, 306. 

Bagley, 1S6, 189, 197, 220. 
Bailey, 97, 100, 150, 319, 326. 
Baker, 24, 2S, 34, 42, 54, 55, 60, 

74, 94, 99, >". 125, 135, 3 22 , 

402. 
Balch, 76, 165, 399. 
Bancroft, 67, 348. 
Banks, 313, 317-319, 322, 325. 
Barber, 337. 
Barker, 23, 43, 52, 53, 73, 168, 189, 

229, 235, 245, 248, 280, 326, 329, 

338, 379, 383, 384, 395- 
Barnard, 164, 165, 350. 
Barnes, 49, 157, i99> 275, 335, 

341, 371, 372, 385-388. 
■Barnet, 130. 
Bartlett, 304, 363, 366. 
Bass, 190. 
Batchelder, 24, 38, 94, 100, 148, 

149, 168, 257, 283, 313, 314, 

318, 320-323, 328, 33s, 34o, 342, 

37i, 389, 394, 39 6 - 
407 



408 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Baxter, 348. 

Beauregard, 310. 

Beech er, 354. 

Belcher, 26. 

Belknap, 356. 

Bellingham, 17, 20, 112. 

Bennet, 87. 

Bent, 242. 

Bentley, 278. 

Bigelow, 244, 273. 

Bixby, 26, 28, 29, 40, 43, 52, 60, 
64, 66-68, 81, 84-86, 109, in, 
113, 117, 125, 127, 132, 133, 
147, 149, 170, 181, 185, 195,228, 
256, 283, 304, 320, 335, 373-378, 
403, 406. 

Black, 30, 33, 35, 49-51, 56, 68, 

73- 
Blackburn, 277, 278. 
Blaisdell, 256. 
Blake (see Black), 235. 
Blanchard, 397. 
Blank, 184. 
Blount, 321. 
Blowers, 144. 
Blunt, 31, 312, 314. 
Bly, 304. 
Boardman, 318. 
Bokeson, 74, 390, 394. 
Bosvvorth, 98. 
Bowdoin, 250. 

Boynton, III, 138, 219, 225. 
Bradford, 354, 399. 
Bradstreet, 26, 48, 77, 7S, 93, 105, 

135, 138, 181, 2S0, 336, 365, 

397- 
Brady, 193, 194, 314, 356. 
Bragg, 316. 
Brainard, 80. 
Braman, 296. 
Brant, 233, 234. 
Bremner, 53, 334, 340, 341. 



Bridges, 28, 49, 65, 68-70, 76, 135, 

137, 138, 156, 195, 372. 
Briggs, 273, 274, 286-288, 292-294. 
Brigham, 59, 270. 
Brocklebank, 42, 55, 66, 283. 
Brooks, 59, 237, 284. 
Brown, 43, 75, 93, 96, 99, 124, 

163, 165, 167, 176, 195,219,228, 

242, 256, 266, 273, 314, 328, 

373, 375, 399, 401, 406. 
Bryant, 26. 
Buckley, 76. 
Buckman, 37. 
Buckmaster, 257, 280. 
Bunker, 94, 189, 266, 277, 294. 
Burbank, 42, 229, 237, 253, 399, 

400. 
Burgoyne, 221, 233, 237. 
Burkbee, 45, 404. 
Burnham, 97, 195, 219, 228, 229, 

231, 235, 237, 2S3, 384. 
Burnside, 315. 
Burpee, 34. 
Burr, 352. 
Burrell, 314. 
Burroughs, 120. 
Burton, 54. 
Buswell, 27, 35, 68, 70, 81, 84, 

114, 126, 133, 168, 251, 321. 
Butler, 176, 234, 314, 320, 323, 

324, 32S. 
Butman, 157, 158, 230, 256, 275, 

400. 
Byam, 278, 335. 
Bygrav, 87, 340. 

Canavan, 325. 

Capen, 81, 130. 

Carleton, 32, 53, 162, 177, 181, 
216, 219, 225, 228, 230, 235, 
257, 278, 280, 304, 314, 326, 
328, 335, 381-383, 395- 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



409 



Carr, 94. 

Cary, 28, 68, 72, 119, 141. 

Cass, 75. 

Caves, 402. 

Chad wick, 12, 95, 96, 107, 117, 
133, 158, 163, 165, 189, 216, 
226, 228-230, 243, 245, 257, 276, 
282, 288, 314, 328, 353, 373-376, 
379, 380, 382, 387, 388, 393-395, 
398, 406. 

Chandler, 29, 164, 190, 246, 274. 

Chaplin, 43, 284, 304. 

Chapman, 34, 53, 134, 226, 227, 
229, 230, 256, 288, 3S3, 396, 
400. 

Chase, 359. 

Cheever, 97. 

Cheney, 33. 

Chester, 293. 

Choate, 251, 360-362. 

Chub, 133. 

Chute, 256, 382. 

Clark, 76, 94, 103, 184, 190, 192, 

221, 228, 333, 354, AOO. 

Cleaveland, 38, 48, 49, 62, 76, 257, 

275, 276, 325, 335. 
Cleaves, 74, 400. 
Clement, 280, 384, 385, 396. 
Clinton, 221. 
Cobb, 337. 
Coburn, 257, 280. 
Coddington, 17. 
Coggin, 295, 296, 299, 303, 331- 

334, 337, 340, 34i, 366, 392, 
394- 

Cogswell, 363, 366. 
Cole, 12, 165, 195, 219, 228, 229, 
240, 257, 265, 314, 315, 328, 

335, 37i, 372, 385-388, 392, 394, 
396, 400, 405. 

Colman, 145. 
Conant, 16, 100, 396. 



Cook, 238. 

Cooper, 42. 

Cornwallis, 241. 

Cotton, 197. 

Covert, 94. 

Cowdrey, 275. 

Cowper, 178. 

Crain, 238. 

Cree, 280. 

Crooke, 165. 

Cross, 103. 

Croxford, 235. 

Cummings, 25, 29, 40, 43, 50, 62, 
64, 79, 94, 101, 184, 217, 21S, 
226, 229, 375-380, 394, 39 6 , 4oo. 

Currier, 280. 

Curtis, 21, 34-36, 68, 74, 100, in, 
113, 114, 117, 119, 125, 127, 
132, 182, 217, 218, 226, 228-230, 
241, 256, 276, 2S8, 315, 328, 
348, 373-376, 3S0, 381, 402, 404. 

Cushing, 158, 162-165, 167, 190, 
192, 196, 197, 2 1 6, 219, 220, 
231, 380, 398. 

Cutler, 244. 

Dacre, Lord, 60. 

Daggett, 97. 

Daisy, 24. 

Daland, 399. 

Dale, 277, 329. 

Dalton, 28. 

Dana, 273, 300. 

Dane, 56. 

Daniels, 283. 

David, 315. 

Davis, 36, 185, 186, 219, 228, 277, 

283, 304, 305, 310, 315. 
Day, 35, *77, 280, 289, 305, 315, 

316, 326, 328, 340, 344, 371, 

385-387, 396, 406. 
Dean, 128. 



4io 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Dearborn, 224. 
Dennison, 20, 59, 112. 
Derby, 235, 251. 
Derlin, 235. 

Dickinson, 26, 27, 40, 42, 43. 
Dimmick, 299. 

Dodge, 38, 99, 100, 200, 239, 316. 
Dole, 395. 
Dollof, 61. 
Donaldson, 231. 

Dorman, 32-34, 42, 43, 52, 54, 76, 
93, 96-98, 100, 117, 118, 128, 

131, 133, 134, 138, 149, l 57, 169, 
217, 220, 229, 230, 238, 240, 248, 
250, 256, 260, 264, 275-277, 2S8, 

303, 3°5, 335, 37i, 372, 374-373, 

381-388, 391, 392, 401, 405. 
Dowen, 159 
Doyle, 325. 
Drake, 68. 
Dresser, 43, 44, 56, 75, 76, 149, 

156, 256, 275, 277, 280, 2S3, 28S, 

360, 362. 
Dunckleogleby, 231. 
Dunn, 231. 

Durant, 256, 275, 290. 
Durin, 394. 
Dutch, 354. 
Dwight, 162. 
Dvvinnell, 100, 189, 217-219, 228- 

23°, 2 56, 3°6- 

Eames, see Ames. 
Eastman, 53, 336, 358, 392. 
Eaton, 53, 247, 248, 262, 263, 265, 

274, 297-301, 336, 341, 359, 363, 

398- 
Edwards, 296. 
Ehrlacher, 317. 
Eiles, see lies. 
Elizabeth, Queen, 87. 
Elliot, 39, 134, 154. 



Emerson, 190, 192, 231, 256, 271. 
Emery, 219, 228, 229, 235, 240. 
Endicott, 16, 17, 21, 39, 41, 98, 

109. 
English, 135-138. 
Etheridge, 235. 

Farley, 140, 326. 

Farnham, 369, 383. 

Farwell, 151. 

Fegan, 305. 

Fellows, 94, 99. 

Felt, 173, 174, 227, 253. 

Field, 194. 

Fish, 94. 

Fisk, 149, 1S1, 1 89, 190, 340, 375, 

379, 401. 

Fitz, 296. 

Flagg, 340. 

Fletcher, 268. 

Flint, 53, 75, 300. 

Foot, 240, 308. 

Foster, 26, 28-33, 38, 4°, 43, 52, 
53, 67, 68, 76, 84-86, 93, 94, 97, 
98, 103, 106, 107, in, 114, 126, 
132-135, 138, 139, 150, 151, 156, 
159, 163, 165, 167, 174, 175, 
183, 190, 216-219, 226-230, 239, 
245, 248, 249, 253, 254, 256, 257, 
260, 281, 283, 288, 292, 296, 
297, 3°5, 326, 328, 364, 371, 
373-375, 377-384, 39°, 39i, 393, 
394, 396, 400, 401, 405, 406. 

Fowler, 12, 13, 303,397. 

Frame, 317, 402. 

Freeman, 340. 

French, 29, 52, 88, 97, 255, 271, 

274, 343- 
Friend, 99, 397. 
Frothingham, 224. 
Frye, 26, 27, 43, 76, 181, 182, 218 

317, 328, 391. 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



411 



Fuller, 20, 36, 39, 112, 228, 317, 
318. 

Gage, 44, 84, 103, no, 155, 214, 
221, 238, 240, 298, 305, 318, 
326, 328, 372, 387, 392, 406. 

Gaines, 38, 316. 

Gallup, 402. 

Gammell, 91, 334, 335, 340. 

Gar, 402. 

Gardner, 190. 

Gatchell, 31. 

Gates, 237, 242. 

Gay, 341. 

Gedney, 119. 

Genness, 393. 

Gentis, 94. 

George III., 204. 

Gerrish, 238, 240. 

Gerry, 251. 

Gibson, 98. 

Giddings, 256. 

Gilbert, 48, 49, 62, 64, 360. 

Gillis, 22. 

Gills, 235. 

Gilman, 228, 229, 232, 235. 

Goodale, 305, 31 8. 

Goodhue, 52, 78, 99. 

Goodrich, 106. 

Goodridge, 53, 99, 219, 228, 395. 

Goodwin, 238. 

Gore, 318. 

Gould, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 34-36, 
41, 42, 55, 60, 75-77, 81, 88, 97, 
109, in, 125, 195, 217, 219, 
220, 228-231, 237, 238, 242, 256, 
281, 283, 28S, 303, 305, 318, 
335, 377, 333, 334, 392, 393, 
395, 397, 402. 

Gowen, 396. # 

Gragg, 216, 257. 

Grand, 235. 



Grant, 78, 235. 
Greaton, 242. 
Greenleaf, 318, 360. 
Greenslip, 70. 
Gridley, 226. 
Griffin, 55, 155, 319. 
Gunnison, 319. 
Gurley, 76, 140, 319, 328. 

Hadley, 43. 

Hagget, 45. 

Hale, 20, 23, 24, 32, 52, 73-75, 
92, 93, 95, 97-iQo, 117, 118, 
127, 132-134, 158, 168-170, 177, 
189, 190, 192, 195, 196, 198, 
217-219, 228, 230, 238, 246, 247, 
249, 254, 256, 258, 288, 303-306, 
313, 319, 326, 328, 335, 347-349, 
37i, 374-378, 380, 381, 398, 405. 

Hall (or Hull), 228, 315, 392. 

Hamble, 234. 

Hamilton, 334. 

Hancock, 221, 250. 

Handly, 23S. 

Hardy, 228, 240, 319, 402. 

Harriman, 13, 99, 257, 280, 2S9, 
290, 326, 342. 

Harris, 36, 182, 277, 278. 

Harrison, 316. 

Hart, 98. 

Hastings, 350, 395. 

Hawthorne, 271. 

Hayward, n, 76, 150, 305, 322. 

Hazen, 37, 39, 78, 79, 116, 126, 
127, 132, 135, 137, 138, 145, 
149, 158, 218, 228, 275, 301, 

37i, 373-375, 403- 
Hazzeltine, 13, 43, 54, 55, 353, 

404. 
Head, 257. 
Heard, 28. 
Heath (or Leath), 95, 237. 



412 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Henly, 326, 343. 

Herrick, 76, 92, 94, 97, 140, 181, 
182, 186, 188, 198, 218, 219, 
228, 229, 237, 256, 280, 288, 
3". 335, 357,367,383, 385-387, 
39 8 , 4°3- 

Hills, 181. 

Hilton, 93. 

Hobart, 63, 80. 

Hobbs, 181, 217. 

Hobson, 319, 326. 

Holden, 256, 356. 

Holmes, 100, 105, 177, 394. 

Holt, 53, 69, 363, 366, 401. 

Holton, 251. 

Holyoke, 191-194, 246, 247, 256, 
262, 264, 267-274, 277, 293, 348, 

355, 356, 396, 398, 405. 
Hood, 24, 34, 54, 76, 256, 305, 

403. 

Hooker, 312, 325. 

Hooper, 298, 337. 

Hopkins, 86. 

Hopkinson, 43, 84. 

Hosmer, 305. 

Hovey, 1 1, 12, 99, 102, 103, in, 
117, 125, 132, 162, 163, 165, 
167, 184, 195, 204, 216, 218, 
228-230, 240, 250, 257, 280, 284, 
320, 338, 354, 358, 359, 375-382, 
385, 393, 394, 398, 4°6. 

Howard, 235. 

Howe, 23, 26, 28, 34, 100, 112, 
113, 150, 154, 221, 223, 2S3, 
303, 304, 307, 320, 33s, 341, 
35i, 35S, 375, 376, 3S7, 402. 

Howlett, 39, 77, 78, 112, 113, 391, 

Hubbard, 52, 184, 273, 341. 

Humphrey, 12, 17. 

Hunting, 33, 38. 

Huntingdon, 274. 

Huntress, 340. 



Hussey, 394. 
Hutchinson, 98, 391. 

Ide, 341. 

lies, 217, 226, 402. 
Ingalls, 35. 
Ingersol, 396. 

Jackson, 32, 97, 99, 136, 232, 257, 

3°°, 39 1 - 
Jacques, 315, 339. 
Jafford, 35. 
James, 55. 
James II, 104-106. 
Janes, 25, 97, 100, 198, 275. 
Jeffords, 296. 
Jeffries, 104. 
Jenkins, 281, 386. 
Jenks, 400. 
Jewell, 367. 
Jewett, 40, 41, 44, 52, 64, 84, 86, 

128, 138, 158, 189, 294, 353, 

375, 376, 398, 402. 
Johnson, II, 20, 29, 42-44, 55, 76, 

86, 93, 216, 217, 220, 251, 308. 
Jones, 98. 
Jordan, 339. 

Kavitt, 397. 

Keezer, 326. 

Keid, 316. 

Keies, 70. 

Kenney, 154, 375, 376, 402. 

Kerr, 367. 

Kilburn (or Kilborn), 32, 36, 350. 

Killam, 19, 21, 36. 75, 93, 98, 182, 
217, 226, 229, 254, 256, 276, 
283, 288, 289, 304, 305, 320, 
328, 335, 363, 366, 367, 371, 
3,72, 376, 379, 380, 3S6, 387, 
403, 404. 

Kimball, 12, 23, 26, 29, 31-33, 45, 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



413 



51-55, 67, 68, 75, 76, 94, 100, 

103, 117, 133, 149, 161, 163, 

165, 170, 176, 184, 192, 195, 

216-219, 226, 228-230, 232, 235, 

237, 240, 248, 254, 256-258, 260, 

264, 277, 280, 283, 284, 288, 

290, 292, 296, 300, 305, 322, 

326, 335, 339, 343, 358, 364, 

371-374, 376-387, 39 2 , 394, 393, 

405, 406. 
King, 353. 

Kingsbury, 340, 341. 
Kirk, 104, 334. 
Knight, 26, 47. 

Knowlton, 96, 128, 223, 351, 352. 
Knox, 403. 

Lacy, 122, 168, 226. 

Ladd, 266. 

Lafayette, 242. 

I^ake, 20, 21, 76, 95, 306. 

Lakeman, 216, 229, 399. 

Lambert, 24, 41, 42, 264. 

Lamson, 296. 

Landry, 182-185. 

Lane, 232, 233. 

Lang, 357. 

Langdon, 325. 

Langhorn, 42. 

Langley, 40, 42, 113, 114. 

Laury, 232. 

Leach, 231, 393. 

Leath, see Heath. 

Leavenworth, 286. 

Leaver, 42, 400. 

Le Baron, 244. 

Lee, 238. 

Leighton, 45, 84, 86. 

Leonard, 49, 59, 60, 70. 

Lesslie, 176. 

Lincoln, 309, 310, 316. 

Little, 251. 



Lofty, 276. 

Long, 76, 94, 283. 

Look, 35. 

Lord, 358, 392. 

Lovewell, 145, 151, 152. 

Lowe, 11, 26, 36, 75, 100, 198, 218, 
229, 230, 253, 255, 257, 2S3, 
284, 286, 295, 303, 335, 343, 
353, 359, 37i, 372, 384, 386, 
39 1 , 39 2 - 

Macoon, 33. 

Malloon, 243. 

Mannuel, 235. 

Mansfield, 244. 

Marble, 27. 

Marden, 231. 

Marrett, 244. 

Marsh, 340, 341. 

Marston, 174, 348. 

Martin, 197, 306. 

Mary, Virgin, 87. 

Mascontio7net, 19, 135-138. 

Masury, 20, 85, 320, 32S. 

Mather, 145. 

Matthews, 217, 226, 228, 229, 251. 

Mayhew, 334. 

McAnnally, 235. 

McEvven, 296. 

McKenzie, 306. 

McLaughlin, 220. 

McLean, 340, 341. 

McLoud, 334, 337. 

Mecum, 26. 

Merriam, 255, 359. 

Merrill, 99, 168, 219, 226, 228, 232, 

235, 247, 250, 257, 265, 280, 

380, 381. 
Messenger, 51. 
Messer, 316. 
Mighill, 84, 86, 155. 
Mills, 392. 



414 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Minot, 190. 

Mitchell, 11, 177, 283. 

Montcalm, 185. 

Moody, 144, 393. 

Moore, 74, 356, 357. 

Morgan, 138. 

Morrill, 33, 192. 

Morse, 75, 159, 305, 312, 320, 321, 

326, 3 28. 
Mosely, 37, 78, 240. 
Moule, 87. 
Munn, 300. 

Napline, 235. 

Nason, 343, 3S8. 

Nelson, 43, 44, 133. 

Newhall, 321, 335, 343. 

Ney, 325. 

Nichols, 22, 154, 305. 

Norman, 92. 

Northend, 40-42, 55, 85, 86. 

Norton, 70. 

Noyes, 246. 

Nurse, 158, 219, 230, 381. 

Oliver, 316. 

Orne, 251. 

Osgood, 38, 74, 244, 251, 349, 391, 

394- 
Page, 176, 296. 
Paine, 21, 341. 
Palmer, 37, 42, 53, 257, 335, 389, 

395- 
Parish, 284. 

Park, 299-301, 336, 340, 341. 
Parker, 103, 122, 135, 152, 189, 

194, 257, 2S0, 283, 312, 313, 

320-322, 326, 395, 406. 
Parkhurst, 278, 342. 
Parrott, 402. 
Parsons, 164, 165, 192. 



Patch, 251. 

Patrick, 21. 

Patterson, 275. 

Payson, 36. 

Peabody, 3, 25, 32, 33, 35-40, 42, 
43, 67-69, 73-76, 78, 81, 84- 
88, 92, 93, 97, 100, 101, 103, 
105, 107, 109-111, 113, 117, 118, 
125, 126, 132-135, I37-I40, U7, 
155, 158, 162, 169, 174, 176, 
179, 186-189, 194, 195, 216-219, 
226, 228-230, 232-235, 237, 238, 
245, 248, 250, 251, 255-258, 264, 
270, 276, 277, 279-281, 283, 286, 
288, 289, 294, 304, 305, 322, 
336, 339, 347, 349, 352, 353, 
355, 357, 353, 364-366, 371, 
373-3SI, 384, 3§5, 389-393, 396, 
398, 405- 

Pearce, 34, 323. 

Peard, 100. 

Pearl, 38, 53, 103, 177, 186, 216, 
229, 234, 257, 2S0, 289, 305, 
371, 3S2-387, 392-394. 

Peirce, 336, 337, 340. 

Pemberton, 189. 

Perkins, 34, 47, 48, 69, 75, 77, 78, 
81, 98, 100, 15S, 181, 219, 228, 
229, 322, 376, 378, 395, 396, 403. 

Perley, 3, 12, 13, 23, 26, 27, 34, 
37, 51, 61, 69, 74-78, 95, 97, 100, 
103, 105, 107-113, 117-119, 123, 
125-127, 130-138, H7-I49, 151, 
155, 157, 158, 168-170, 173, 174, 
179, 183, 184, 1 89, 193, 195, 19S, 
199, 204, 217-222, 226, 228-231, 
238, 241, 242, 248-250, 254-257, 
259, 260, 262, 275, 281, 283, 
286-288, 290, 295, 304, 305, 322, 
323, 328, 335, 343, 349, 354, 
357, 360-362, 371, 373-384, 386, 
390-392, 394, 396, 398, 401, 405. 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



415 



Perry, 56, 68, 74, 2S2. 

Persons, 130, 176. 

Pettingill, 280. 

Phelps, 27. 

Philip, King, 66-68. 

Phillips, 86, 9S, 165, 190, 305. 

Phipps, 123. 

Pickard, 23, 40-42, 55, 56, 85, 133, 

376, 4°3- 
Piersons, 200, 276. 
Pigot, 223. 

Pike, 5S, 97, H4, 283. 
Pillsbury, 102, 394. 
Pinder, 351. 
Pingree, 177. 
Pinkham, 266. 
Pitt, 185. 

Platts, 32, 86, 99, in. 
Pomeroy, 223. 
Poor, 32, 53, 195, 275, 284, 353, 

39i- 

Pope, 38, 306. 

Porter, 75, 103, 157, 158, 165, 179, 
184, 216, 219, 228-230, 235, 245, 
254, 257, 280, 2S9, 290, 343, 

353, 353, 359, 377-331, 395, 39§, 

400, 401, 403, 404. 
Pownal, 184. 
Pratt, 286. 
Preble, 182, 1S6. 
Prescott, 23, 222, 305. 
Prichard, 52, 54, 158, 184, 199, 

264, 378-380. 
Putnam, 53, 74, 75, 176, 18S, 190, 

218, 221, 223, 224, 243, 352, 

380, 391- 

Quarles, 267. 

Ramsdell, 34, 6$, 68-70. 
Rankin, 334. 
Ranney, 367. 



Raymont, 128. 

Rea, 218, 219, 228-230, 239, 256, 
305, 306, 322. 

Redfield, 367. 

Redington, 22-24, 40, 43, 5^, 63, 
64, 68, 72, 75, 83, 84, 88, 1 01, 
113, 114, 116-118, 126, 128, 132, 
133, 138, 168, 170, 277, 371, 

374-379, 405. 

Reed, 100, 352. 

Remington, 41. 

Revere, 214. 

Reyner, 85. 

Reynolds, 53, 163, 165, 216, 224, 
225, 229, 232, 240, 243, 245, 
257, 260, 280, 282, 305, 379, 
3S0, 382, 383, 392, 393. 

Rice, 334. 

Richards, 1 19. 

Richardson, 93, 240. 

Riddell, 1S9. 

Rider, 235. 

Riggs, 256. 

Rix, 32. 

Robart, 190. 

Robbins, 151. 

Robertson, 286. 

Robinson, 74, 167, 218, 219, 228, 
240, 247, 249, 250, 257, 259, 
260, 262, 305, 323, 326, 371, 
373, 380, 381, 385, 399, 4o6. 

Rogers, 17, 43, 44, 85, 132, 139, 
145, 146, 160, 161, 164, 168, 
170, 172-174, 181, 188, 190, 34S, 

398. 
Ross, 280, 308. 
Rowe, 23, 342. 
Rowell, 189. 
Ruck, 61. 
Rugg, 323. 

Runnells, see Reynolds. 
Russell, 256, 283, 305, 394. 



4i6 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Safford, 60. 

Saltonstall, 1 19. 

Sandys, 42, 44. 

Sargent, 29, 340. 

Saunders, 298. 

Savage, 275, 277, 305, 313, 323, 

328, 398. 
Sawyer, 21, 53, 254, 255, 276, 288, 

323, 328, 335, 339, 385,401. 
Sayward, 131, 254, 276, 294. 
Scales, 35, 36, 42, 165, 34S, 398, 

404. 
Schouler, 326. 
Scott, 238, 284. 
Scudder, 264. 
Sears, 293. 
Seeton, 52. 
Seldon, 341. 
Sergeant, 119. 
Sessions, 52, 167, 218, 228, 230, 

240, 257, 393. 
Sewall, 119, 138. 
Shalton, see Sheldon. 
Shaw, 353. 
Shays, 252. 
Sheen, 94. 
Sheldon, 100. 
Sherwin, 101, 155, 165, 167, 195, 

377- 

Shumway, 101. 

Simmons, 225, 228. 

Small, 93. 

Smith, 25, 29, 32-35, 39, 61, 65, 
68-70, 77, 73, 94, 97, 102, 104, 
106, 155, 156, 174, 189, 217, 
218, 220, 226, 228, 230, 237, 
247, 256, 257, 273, 288, 305, 
323, 324, 353, 374-377, 394-39^, 
400. 

Snelling, 158, 159. 

Sparhawk, 197. 

Spiller, 139, 140, 305. 



Spofford, 12, 24, 38, 43-45, 54, 85, 
93, 94, 161, 165, 176, 181, 216, 
226, 228-230, 256, 257, 264, 266, 
280, 281, 283, 288, 305, 324, 
326, 328, 350, 357, 364, 371, 
375, 33o, 382-384, 387, 391, 393, 
395, 4o4, 406. 

Sprague, 102. 

Stacy, 194. 

Stanley, 97. 

Staples, 189. 

Stark, 223, 351. 

St. Clair, 237. 

Stearns, 190, 300. 

Stephens, 310. 

Stetson, 12, 13, 50, 54, 71, 148, 
149. 

Stevens, 13, 93, 128, 194, 245, 259, 
265, 277, 283, 284, 326, 328, 

335, 35°- 

Stewart, 156, 404. 

Stickney, 42, 43, 56, 103, 182, 186, 
198, 217, 226, 230, 237-240, 256, 
283, 284, 288, 354, 396. 

Stiles, 12, 13, 20, 27, 28, 40, 43, 
65, 68, 71, 72, 87, 101, 113, 114, 
117, 132, 133, 217-219, 227-230, 
232, 233, 235, 256, 275, 277, 
283, 288, 305, 376, 377, 382. 

Stillman, 133. 

Stockton, 270. 

Stone, 29, 274, 300, 359, 363, 
402. 

Stoughton, 119. 

Stowe, 117, 178. 

Strong, 282. 

Strout, 335. 

Sullivan, 230, 232, 242, 324, 32S. 

Swain, 190. 

Swan, 30, 43, 93, 120, 121, 257, 
280, 283. 

Sweet, 300. 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



417 



Symmes, 130-133, 142-146, 170, 
190, 246, 248, 333, 392. 

Symonds, n, 25, 26, 34, 52, 68, 
78, 81, 85, 86, 96, 99, 100, 107, 
109, 111-113, 117, 125-127, 130, 

132, 133, 135, 147, 150, 154, 
169, 174, 179, 182, 217, 219, 
227, 230, 256, 262, 264, 276, 

371, 3737378. 381-383, 391, 398, 
403, 405. 

Tanstall, 316. 

Tant (or Taunt), 95. 

Targs, 235. 

Tarleton, 241. 

Tate, 193, 194, 356. 

Taylor, 97, 235. 

Tenney, 42. 

Thaxter, 162. 

Thayer, 190. 

Thomas, 343, 355. 

Thompson, 144, 242, 337. 

Throgsmorton, 60. 

Todd, 49, 54, 76, 286, 326. 

Towne, 27, 7S, 97, 102, 218-220, 
226, 228, 256, 263, 277, 283, 
305, 306, 325, 364. 

Trask, 17, 36, 89, 288. 

True, 94, 247. 

Trumble, 44, 84, 86. 

Tucker, 176. 

Turner, 17, 24. 

Twisden, 325, 328. 

Twitchel, 39. 

Tyler, 32, 50, 51, 68, 70, 72-74, 
85, 86, 106, 107, in, 113, 117, 
118, 125, 126, 133, 134, 155, 
156, 161-163, 165, 215, 218, 226, 
228-231, 243, 246, 250, 257, 2S0, 
305, 337, 338, 37i, 373-376, 378, 
379, 381, 382, 384, 393-396, 398, 
406. 



Umpee, 135-13S. 
Upham, 190. 
Upton, 53, 102. 

Vansheit, 232. 
Varney, 176. 
Verney, 190. 
Vinton, 60, 68, 119. 

Wade, 43, 60, 239, 240, 242. 

Wadsworth, 144. 

Walker, 100. 

Wallis, 52. 

Wallit, 380. 

Ware, 336. 

Warren, 121, 223, 256, 350, 395. 

Washington, 226, 230, 236, 238, 

243, 265. 
Wasse, 27. 
Waterhouse, 305. 
Waters, 101. 
Watson, 95, 99, 117, 133, 135,348, 

373- 
Watts, 194, 356. 
Way, 112. 
Wayne, 236. 
Webb, 33. 
Webber, 235. 

Webster, 159, 244, 251, 360, 362. 
Welch, 325, 326. 
Wells, 76, 99, 305, 397. 
Wentworth, 305. 
Weston, 275. 
Wheeler, 30, 45, 70. 
Whipple, 85. 
White, 184. 
Whitefield, 178. 
Whitney, 294, 295. 
Whittemore, 277, 278. 
Whittier, 89. 

Wicom, 43, 84, 86, 109, in. 
Wigglesworth, 190, 229. 



4i8 



INDEX OF SURNAMES. 



Wilder, 349. 

Wildes, 48, 60, 229, 396. 

Wilkins, 76, 102, 112, 125, 375, 

376. 
Willett, 21S, 219, 22S. 
William, King, 106. 
" William, Old," 112. 
Williams, 181, 189, 247, 251, 256, 

325- 

Willis, 101, 182, 401. 

Wilson, 26, 156. 

Winslow, 182. 

Winthrop, 16, 17, 19, 24, 48, 119. 

Wood, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31, 39, 50- 
52, 68, 71, 72, 75-77, 88, 89, 93, 
96, 107, 117, 127, 131-133, 147- 
149, 158, 161, 163, 165, 170, 173, 



176, 1 Si, 186, 189, 194, 198-200, 
202, 204, 208, 216, 219, 228, 
229, 231, 237, 240, 247, 250, 
251, 253, 256, 257, 259, 260, 
265, 2S0, 283, 292, 326, 349, 
35o, 358, 371-376, 378-384, 389, 
39i, 39 2 , 394-396, 398, 405, 406. 

Woodbury, 219, 290. 

Woodman, 244, 276. 

Wooers, 189. 

Wooton, 48. 

Woster, 156, 161, 163, 165, 167, 
178, 179, 406. 

Wyatt, 28, 197, 286. 

Yager, 340. 
Young, 395. 






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